Premier League stars condemned for Covid lockdown breach
Tottenham Hotspur has publicly criticized three prominent first team players for flouting coronavirus rules after they attended a Christmas party with their families.
Photographs that circulated on social media showed Erik Lamela, Sergio Reguilon and Giovani Lo Celso at the party in London, with West Ham player Manuel Lanzini also in attendance.
Restrictions by the UK government prohibit mixing with other people indoors, with London in the highest Tier 4 area of lockdown due to the rapid spread of a new strain of Covid-19.
Tottenham reacted angrily, with all three players facing disciplinary action, while West Ham said Lanzini had been “strongly reminded of his responsibilities.”
Lamela was not included in Tottenham’s squad for Saturday’s game against Leeds while regular starter Reguilon, a summer signing from Real Madrid, was an unused substitute. Lo Celso is out injured.
“We are extremely disappointed and strongly condemn this image showing some of our players with family and friends together at Christmas, particularly as we know the sacrifices everybody around the country made to stay safe over the festive period,” Tottenham said in a statement.
“The rules are clear, there are no exceptions, and we regularly remind all our players and staff about the latest protocols and their responsibilities to adhere and set an example.
“The matter will be dealt with internally.”
Tottenham Member of Parliament David Lammy also took to social media to give his views, branding the trio “stupid and selfish” in a posting.
Tottenham’s remaining players shrugged off the controversy on the pitch with a 3-0 win over Leeds United to move into third place in the Premier League standings, four points adrift of top two Liverpool and Manchester United.
Leeds, so impressive after its promotion, had the better of the early openings before Steven Bergwijn was tripped by Ezgjan Alioski and Harry Kane made no mistake from the penalty spot to give Tottenham the lead.
He then combined again with strike partner Son Heung-min to send the South Korean in for the second, his 100th for Tottenham.
The three points were effectively sealed when Son’s second half corner was headed home at the near post by Toby Alderweireld.
Matt Doherty’s late dismissal for a second yellow card took some of the gloss off an excellent victory for Spurs, but manager Jose Mourinho was content with an “important three points.”
Mourinho made fleeting reference to the disciplinary issues facing three of his stars after the rules breach.
“I think every club does the best for their players to keep them all safe but then there are moments in private lives which you cannot control,” he told BT Sport.
But he later expressed his anger at the trio and their actions at his media conference.
“We feel disappointed because we gave the players all the education and conditions. We are not happy. It was a negative surprise for us,” he said.
“We know what we are internally. We don’t need to open the door to you and let you know what is going on internally.
“What are going to be the consequences and how deeply we approach that negative surprise…I feel disappointed.”
Lanzini, who scored a stunning equalizer for West Ham in its 3-3 draw with Tottenham earlier this season, later took to social media to apologize for his actions, saying he had made a “bad mistake.”
Mourinho was critical of the Premier League after his side’s midweek match against Fulham was called off at late notice and he doubled down on his views on postponements.
“I go back to the initial rules of if you have 14 players available you have to play. I don’t see another reason for not doing it.”
Earlier, Fulham’s game against Burnley on Sunday was also postponed because of Covid-19 positives at the west London club.
Arsenal thrashes WBA
The highlight of Saturday’s other matches was a 4-0 away win for resurgent Arsenal at West Bromwich Albion.
Mikel Arteta’s team was recording its third straight win after a run of poor form which left some pondering the Spaniard’s future at the helm.
Defender Kieran Tierney put the Gunners ahead with a curling shot in the first half, followed by a superb team goal which saw Bukayo Saka supply the finishing touch.
On a pitch covered by snow, Alexandre Lacazette continued his fine scoring run with a second half double as Arsenal strolled to victory against Sam Allardyce’s strugglers.
Arsenal moves up to 11th with WBA 19th and in deep trouble.
In the afternoon kickoffs, Sheffield United stayed rock bottom after a 2-0 defeat at Crystal Palace, its 15th defeat in 17 games, while Brighton hit back for a 3-3 home draw against Wolves, but remains in trouble hovering above the drop zone.
