Man City defender in COVID trouble

Three days after Manchester City’s coronavirus outbreak forced the postponement of a match, defender Benjamin Mendy held a New Year’s Eve party in breach of England’s pandemic restrictions.

While Pep Guardiola accepted that Mendy was wrong to host the gathering at his house, the City manager still defended his player’s actions on Sunday.

“He broke the rules,” Guardiola. “Of course it was not correct what he has done, but don’t judge him much because if you look ... New Year’s Eve many, many people have maybe done the same.”

Mendy’s rule-breaking took place after City’s game at Everton on Monday was called off. Six players are isolating with the coronavirus, with defender Eric Garcia’s positive test announced Sunday.

Despite the risk of being infected at the gathering, Mendy was an unused substitute for Sunday’s game at Chelsea where City was one player short on the bench.

“Benjamin had already COVID so he had it in the past,” Guardiola said. “He has been tested every day like all the guys ... and is negative.”

Contracting the coronavirus is not considered to provide any certainty against future infections.

The Premier League has not condemned any players from City, Tottenham, West Ham, Fulham and Crystal Palace who have been seen over the Christmas period appearing to flout COVID-19 restrictions that have been tightened in response to a new variant, which scientists have said is up to 70% more contagious.