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Manchester City say they are disappointed after defender Benjamin Mendy breached Covid-19 rules by hosting a New Year’s Eve party.
A spokesperson for the France international said the 26-year-old held a dinner party with guests from outside his household.
The mixing of households indoors is banned under the UK government’s tier four restrictions.
City said they would conduct an internal investigation.
Mendy was named on the bench for City’s Premier League game away to Chelsea on Sunday (16:30 GMT).
“While it is understood that elements of this incident have been misinterpreted in the reports [carried by newspapers earlier], and that the player has publicly apologised for his error, the club is disappointed to learn of the transgression and will be conducting an internal investigation,” the club said in a statement.
A spokesperson for Mendy said: “Benjamin and his partner allowed a chef and two friends of his partner to attend his property for a dinner party on New Year’s Eve.
“Ben accepts that this is a breach of Covid-19 protocols and is sorry for his actions in this matter. Ben has had a Covid test and is liaising with Manchester City about this.”
Explaining why Mendy was in his matchday squad on Sunday, manager Pep Guardiola told Sky Sports: “First of all the club made a statement; second Benjamin already had Covid in the past – he’s been tested every day like all of us and he’s negative. He knows what he has done and he will learn in the future.”
