Beach bum Phil is caught on film
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PHIL FODEN became Manchester City’s latest Cov-idiot after breaking social distancing rules to play beach football.
Foden will be reminded of his responsibilities by City and his duty to observe the Government’s social distancing guidelines after being caught on film flouting them.
The incident comes after City team-mate Kyle Walker was fined and reprimanded for breaking lockdown rules after allowing two female escorts to visit his flat during the height of the pandemic.
City and England U-21s star Foden, regarded as one of the brightest young talents in the game, was challenged to a game of football by members of the public at Formby beach on Sunday.
The 20-year-old joined an impromptu kickabout, which was filmed, and then posed for a photo with the group, not once observing the two-metre regulations.
City confirmed Foden will be spoken to.
Players at all clubs have been told to maintain social distancing at all times, other than during supervised contact training sessions.
Despite that instruction, Foden engaged in the game of beach football in which he was tackled by members of the public, one of whom was holding a bottle of beer.
EIGHT months ago Ralph Hasenhuttl went to the Southampton board and admitted they should sack him.
Now he is celebrating a new four-year contract after one of the biggest turnarounds in club history.
Hasenhuttl looked for all the world like a dead man walking when his struggling side were crushed 9-0 by Leicester in October.
It was the biggest home defeat ever suffered in a top-flight league game in this country.
And Saints were shocking. Thrashed and humiliated on their own turf, they had won only two of their 10 fixtures and looked like relegation material.
Hasenhuttl later admitted he went to the board and said: “If I were in your place, I would sack me. We were hopeless. A disaster.”
A shortlist of potential replacements was even compiled, but Saints kept faith with the 52-yearold Austrian and their patience has been rewarded.
After signing his bumper new deal yesterday, Hasenhuttl said: “I said when I arrived at the club that we were at the beginning of a long journey, and also a journey that would bring emotion and hopefully enjoyment.
“We have already had some moments where we could celebrate together, and some that have been emotional and also challenging.
“The way we have handled this together as a group of people has been incredible for me.
“I believe we now have strong foundations here that can allow us to take the next steps in our progress as a team.
“For me, this is an important step in the journey.
“My players, our staff and of course the supporters must understand my commitment to this club and to what we are trying to build together.
“We value the same philosophies and this is a big part of why I want to stay here.”
Hasenhuttl never thought
These can be easily followed by coaches to make sure all age
Oct 25 Saints crushed 9-0 by Leicester. Hasenhuttl tells board: “If I were in your place, I would sack me.”
Nov 9 Saints lose their fourth game in a row, a 2-1 home defeat to Everton, who had not won away all season. Angry fans throw scarves on pitch.
Nov 23 Seeds of a revival as Saints are denied a rare win at Arsenal by Alexandre Lacazette’s stoppage-time equaliser. They go on to win their next two games.
Jan 21 A 2-0 win at Crystal Palace is their fourth away win on the trot, equalling a club record in the Premier League. Saints up to ninth having beaten Chelsea, Tottenham and Leicester over the last month.
June 2 Hasenhuttl signs a new four-year contract.
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