Phil Foden issues public apology for breaching coronavirus protocol on England duty

Tony Mogan7 September 2020

Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden has issued a public apology after he and Mason Greenwood were sent home after breaching coronavirus guidelines in Iceland while on England duty.

Foden, 20, and Greenwood, 18, will not travel with the squad to Copenhagen for Tuesday's Nations League qualifier against Denmark.

Foden released a statement on Twitter reading: “Following the story which has emerged today regarding my actions in Iceland I want to make a full apology.

“I apologise to Gareth Southgate, to my England teammates, to the staff, supporters and also to my club and my family.

“When I was called up by Gareth for these games, my first reaction was that of immense pride. To pull on that shirt for the senior team in my England debut was an incredible privilege.

“I am a young player with a lot to learn, but I am aware of the huge responsibility I have in representing Manchester City and England at this level.

“On this occasion I made a poor decision and my behaviour didn’t meet the standards expected of me.

“I breached Covid-19 protocols put in place to protect myself and my England colleagues. As a consequence I will now miss the opportunity to travel to Denmark with the squad, and that hurts.

“I will learn a valuable lesson from this error in judgment and I wish Gareth and the team good luck this week.”

The FA will be launching an investigation into the circumstances leading up to the breach.