Football facing total ban if players keep flouting rules

ELITE football could be shut down if players keep flouting lockdown rules, warns Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden.

He fears high-profile breaches undermine public confidence and risk spreading the virus.

Elite games are allowed while amateur sport is banned but Mr Dowden has raised concerns about players’ off- the- pitch behaviour with football chiefs.

A source said: ‘It does not help the case for keeping it open if players are throwing parties or getting professional haircuts.

‘Players are in a privileged position and if they don’t take responsibility in their personal lives it brings the government’s whole approach into question.’

The warning comes following an outcry over Christmas and New Year incidents. In one, Tottenham’s Sergio Reguilon, Erik Lamela and Giovani Lo Celso partied with West Ham’s Manuel Lanzini, breaking strict Tier 4 rules.

The Professional Footballers’ Association has already warned its members that they have a duty to act as role models.