GARETH SOUTHGATE insisted Mason Greenwood and Phil Foden would have been kicked out of the England squad regardless of their Covid-19 breaches.
The shamed Three Lions stars returned home yesterday after it was discovered they broke strict coronavirus rules by sneaking an Icelandic model and her cousin into the team hotel in Reykjavik.
Phil Foden and Mason Greenwood were axed by England after sneaking two girls into the team hotelCredit: Reuters
Gareth Southgate says the pair would still have been axed even if we were not in the current Covid crisisCredit: Getty Images
The pair missed England’s drab Nations League stalemate in Denmark on Tuesday night.
And Southgate was adamant both Greenwood and Foden would have been booted out for their antics even without the current pandemic rules.
The national boss said: “I don’t really understand how the players could have felt that was acceptable. That is a puzzle to me.
“We initially talked about a Covid breach and it was 100 percent right to act quickly to take control of that situation.
“But what has emerged since has meant that whether there had been a covid situation or not, we’d have been sending the two players home anyway.
“Everyone needs to understand that’s not going to be tolerated in an England camp and they’ve given me a lot to think about.”
The Sun exclusively revealed Manchester United star Greenwood, 18, and City ace Foden, 20, paid a hotel worker to smuggle the girls in.
The pair were fined by local police for breaching strict Covid guidelines just days after making their international debuts in the 1-0 win in Iceland.
Despite Gary Neville leaping to their defence, the pair were blasted by both of their respective clubs.
The FA have also launched an investigation into the incident.
Model Nadia Sif Lindal Gunnarsdottir, 20, says she had been chatting with Greenwood before his trip to Iceland
She and her 19-year-old cousin Lara Clausen visited the team hotel after being snuck in by the players
Southgate remained tight-lipped on whether the young pair would be involved for next month’s clashes against Wales and Belgium, but he refused to close the England door on them permanently.
Southgate added: “Trust needs to be rebuilt and that takes time.
“There have to be consequences for what’s happened and then we have to try to help them rebuild.
“Young people often err but that doesn’t mean you hold that against them forever. The spotlight is on them with what they’re having to go through and that’s an incredible ordeal for young players.
“I have to help with that rebuilding but also be very clear to them and all the other players that there are expectations and responsibilities when you wear the Three Lions.”
England skipper Harry Kane revealed: “I texted the two lads and I know a couple of the other boys have done the same just to make sure they’re feeling OK.
“They could have been in a lonely place and it’s not easy taking criticism when you’re in the media’s eye.
“They’re young boys coming into a big world and they know they have made a mistake, but I know for sure that it won’t happen again.”
Both players have issued public apologies for their actions.
Icelandic beauties Nadia Sif Lindal Gunnarsdottir, 20, and Lara Clausen, 19, hung out with the footballers after being invited into the England hotel.
At one point, City playmaker Foden flashed his bum at the girls, who did not enter the national team’s secure Covid-19 bubble.
The rule breach earned both players a £1,360 fine from local police, with further punishment expected from club and country.
Foden became a dad when he was 18 years old and is in a relationship with long-term partner Rebecca Cooke.
Greenwood is single after breaking up with his ex-girlfriend earlier this year.
Shamed England star Phil Foden snapped showing his bum to girls he and Mason Greenwood smuggled into team hotel
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
