FOUR Arsenal stars have become the latest Premier League Covidiots to break the government’s lockdown rules.
Club-record £72million signing Nicolas Pepe was filmed having a kickabout with a dozen pals in North London, with footage shared on WhatsApp.
⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
Nicolas Pepe kicked a ball around with others outside, and was exposed by a WhatsApp post
Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette gets close to a valeter who he asked to clean his car despite the lockdown
Fellow Gunners David Luiz and Granit Xhaka were also spotted having a get-together on parkland in Southgate.
And Alexandre Lacazette was snapped standing next to a car valeter cleaning his Audi on his driveway.
Ivory Coast winger Pepe also shared another footie game with pals on Instagram.
Last night an Arsenal spokesman told The Sun: “Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We’ll be speaking to our players.
“We were concerned so we have spoken to Nicolas who shares a house with a number of relatives who were involved in this game.
“We have reminded him of the importance of everyone following the guidelines.”
David Luiz and Granit Xhaka, here shown in Dubai with Arsenal in February, had a get-together during the lockdownCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Give now to The Sun’s NHS appeal
BRITAIN’s four million NHS staff are on the frontline in the battle against coronavirus.
But while they are helping save lives, who is there to help them?
The Sun has launched an appeal to raise £1MILLION for NHS workers.
The Who Cares Wins Appeal aims to get vital support to staff in their hour of need.
We have teamed up with NHS Charities Together in their urgent Covid-19 Appeal to ensure the money gets to exactly who needs it.
The Sun is donating £50,000 and we would like YOU to help us raise a million pounds, to help THEM.
No matter how little you can spare, please donate today here
www.thesun.co.uk/whocareswinsappeal
The players’ antics come as the horrific UK coronavirus death toll yesterday hit 18,100.
Pepe, wearing a grey tracksuit and black trainers, casually joined in a game on an astroturf pitch in Colingdale’s Graham Park on April 15.
Police later closed the pitch following complaints.
Luiz and Xhaka’s kick-about occurred on Tuesday on fields near Oakwood Station in Southgate, North London.
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS – STAY IN THE KNOW
Don’t miss the latest news and figures – and essential advice for you and your family.
To receive The Sun’s Coronavirus newsletter in your inbox every tea time, sign up here.
To follow us on Facebook, simply ‘Like’ our Coronavirus page.
Get Britain’s best-selling newspaper delivered to your smartphone or tablet each day – find out more.
A dog-walker said: “They were having a great time, not a care in the world. Why is it one rule for them and another for the rest of us?”
Lacazette’s car wash took place on Monday.
A passer-by who spotted the striker said: “I was shocked to see them so close. Surely getting someone to clean your motor cannot be classed as essential travel.
“Why couldn’t Lacazette have done it himself?”
This latest scandal comes just 24 hours after shamed Spurs’ Covidiots Serge Aurier and Moussa Sissoko issued a grovelling apology after becoming the latest Tottenham stars to break lockdown rules after posting a video of them ignoring social distancing orders.
Spurs boss Jose Mourinho was also accused by MPs of “putting lives at risk” after he took Tanguy Ndombele for training in a park.
The same day Spurs defenders Davinson Sanchez and Ryan Sessegnon were also spotted running together in another park session.
Manchester City star Kyle Walker ignored lockdown rules by hosting a sex party with a friend and two call girls in his flat, while Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish crashed his car following a 4am party – just hours after urging fans to stay indoors for the virus lockdown.
Simon Jordan calls Mesut Özil an ‘easy target’ amid Arsenal wage cut row
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
