Mason Greenwood and Phil Foden are heading home following confirmation that the two England internationals invited women to their hotel rooms in Iceland, which breached the safety protocols in place in the ongoing UEFA Nations League matches. Manchester United, Greenwood's club, expressed disappointment that their young player was found at fault while representing England.
Greenwood and Foden, who won their first caps in the wining game against Iceland, will be sent back to the United Kingdom and will likely miss the remaining games of the competition. The team is heading next to Denmark without the two players, who will instead take the plane that will bring them home.
Citing local media reports in Iceland, CNN said the football stars accepted female visitors and acted in violation of the rules that prohibited from leaving the secure team bubble or allowing unauthorized persons inside the predetermined players' safe zone.
A video circulated online and showed Greenwood and Foden interacting with a young model. The accompanying audio of the clip revealed that the woman offered to come over to their hotel rooms, which the players did not discourage.
England manager Gareth Southgate said in a statement that the incident proved his players were "young and naïve" but gave no excuse for the misdeed. Southgate explained he got wind of the breach minutes before the team's training session the next day and proceeded to make the necessary actions.
The offending players were immediately isolated from the rest of the squad in preparation for their travel back to England.
"We had to decide very quickly that they couldn't have any interaction with the rest of the team and wouldn't be able to travel to training. Given the procedures that we have to follow now they'll have to travel back to England separately," the England manager was reported as saying.
Southgate likewise assured that Greenwood and Foden did not come in contact with members of the squad after the incident, indicating that the rest of the England players are safe from getting infected by the coronavirus and ready to continue.
The Red Devils said they are working closely with England's football officials to properly deal with the situation.
"Manchester United are liaising with the Football Association and are disappointed with the actions of Mason Greenwood over this situation," Metro reported the club's statement as saying.
Foden's team, Manchester City, described the midfielder's actions as "totally inappropriate," adding the player failed both England and City's high expectations.
The football club said they will abide by the decision made by FA officials and will closely coordinate the return of Foden from Iceland.
There is no clear indication, however, from both clubs if further disciplinary measures will await the erring players.
