LONDON: Phil Foden and Mason Greenwood, having undone much of the good imagery about young footballers developed by Marcus Rashford, have been sent home by England manager for breaching coronavirus quarantine guidelines in Iceland.

The Football Association is investigating the breaches after Saturday’s 1-0 Nations League victory.

Manchester City midfielder Foden, 20, and Manchester United forward Greenwood, 18, both made their senior international debuts in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Iceland in Reykjavik.

Their breach of both FA and local regulations has cost them not only their squad place but the anger of manager Gareth Southgate and a £1,360 fine each from Reykjavik Metropolitan Police.

Foden and Greenwood reportedly met two women in a separate part of the hotel away from where the England team were staying.

Southgate said: “It’s a very serious situation and we have treated it that way and have acted as quickly as we have been able to.

“We have dealt with it appropriately. I recognise their age but the whole world is dealing with this pandemic.

“Given the procedures that we have to follow now, they’ll have to travel back to England separately.”

FA statement

Later on Monday, an FA spokesperson said: “Whilst in Iceland, both Phil Foden and Mason Greenwood spent time outside of our private team area, which was a breach of our Covid-19 rules.

“While they did not leave the team hotel, it was an unacceptable breach of our protocol. They have both apologised for their serious lack of judgement.”

The FA has launched a “full investigation” and apologised to the Football Association of Iceland, saying it is “taking the appropriate steps”. It has also assured the Danish Football Union “that all other players and staff members have been isolated within our group throughout this period”.

In a social media post on Monday evening Foden said missing England’s next game on Tuesday against Denmark “hurts” and he will “learn a valuable lesson from this error in judgement.”

Foden added: “I made a poor decision and and my behaviour didn’t meet the standards expected of me. I apologise to Gareth Southgate, to my England team-mates, to the staff, supporters and also to my club and my family.”

City pair positive

** Manchester City duo Riyad Mahrez and Aymeric Laporte have tested positive for coronavirus, the club have announced.

City said that neither forward Mahrez nor defender Laporte, now self-isolating, were displaying symptoms.

It does however put their involvement in the club’s opening match of the season, away at Wolves on September 21, in doubt.

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