Football: Mason Greenwood, Phil Foden invite Iceland models into hotel
Two English internationals have been sent home in disgrace after inviting two young women to their hotel and breaching COVID protocols.
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A pair of English footballers are being sent home from international duty in Iceland after inviting two models to their team hotel in Reykjavik.
Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood, 18, and Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden, 21, made their international debuts in England’s 1-0 win against Iceland on the weekend but have been kicked out of the squad after breaching COVID protocols.
The players are being put the ringer by the English press after footage emerged of a conversation between them and blonde beauties Nadia Sif Lindal and Lara Clausen.
One of the girls is seen laughing while asking the players “what’s the plan?” for sneaking them into the hotel.
The conversation between the females and football stars continues with the girl responding “what you think bro” when asked what she is coming to the hotel for.
And the clip finishes with one of the players then asking the girl if she has a friend who could come with her.
It is claimed Foden and Greenwood booked them two rooms on a separate floor from the rest of the squad.
One picture shows the girls together in one room but sources claim the players later entertained each separately.
Iceland Miss Universe contender Nadia, 20, revealed she had been chatting with Greenwood for a “couple of days” before he and Foden — who is in a relationship — arrived in Iceland.
After she and her 19-year-old cousin Clausen visited the hotel, she told The Mail: “We met online. I was talking to Mason for a couple of days before they came to Iceland.
“They did know that they had to quarantine, but we figured that since they were playing Iceland, they had been tested before and it would be OK.”
Nadia added: “We haven’t spoken to them since. We don’t want to interrupt them because they are of course going through a lot right now. They haven’t contacted us.
“It was a good night that we had, of course. We were all the four of us spending time together and getting to know each other. They were nice guys. Really, really nice.”
Lara added: “They were just young. We were all young and stupid and we all make mistakes. They treated us really well. They were such gentlemen. Really nice guys.”
Foden became a dad when he was 18 years old and is in a relationship with long-term partner Rebecca Cooke.
He issued a lengthy apology. “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,” it read.
“On this occasion I made a poor decision and my behaviour didn’t meet the standards expected of me.”
England coach Gareth Southgate confirmed the duo are leaving the England camp following the incident as the Football Association works with City and United to get them home.
Greenwood and Foden are still in Iceland and have been fined $2500 by local police.
Southgate said the breach occurred outside of the part of the hotel the FA booked for the England squad.
“Unfortunately this morning it was brought to my attention two guys have broken the COVID guidelines in terms of our secure bubble and so we had to decide very quickly they could not have any interaction with the team and could not travel to training,” Southgate said.
When asked if they had invited two girls to their hotel, Southgate replied: “We are still getting to the depths of the information. I am still getting to grips with the details but what is clear there was a breach of the COVID guidelines.
“We have spent such a long time getting the measures in place and the whole squad have followed that. We have had four tests since we have been together and the staff have done an incredible job to keep it safe and tight.
“In that respect we had no alternative to do what we are doing. I am not going into any more detail.”
England is scheduled to travel from Iceland to Denmark for its next match in the UEFA Nations League. The match will go ahead.
— The Sun
Originally published as Football: Mason Greenwood, Phil Foden invite Iceland models into hotel