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Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho has apologised for taking a training session while England is on a government-imposed lockdown during the coronavirus pandemic.
Mourinho was photographed taking an outdoor training session at Hadley Common with midfielder Tanguy Ndombele, despite government guidelines for people to stay indoors. Defenders Davinson Sanchez and Ryan Sessegnon were also filmed by passers-by running together through the park.
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Mourinho said: “I accept that my actions were not in line with government protocol and we must only have contact with members of our own household. “It is vital we all play our part and follow government advice in order to support our heroes in the NHS and save lives.”
Mourinho, who was wearing his full Spurs tracksuit, had organised a training session with N’Dombele to work on his fitness and for the pair to work together and rekindle their relationship, sources have told ESPN.
The France international welcomed the request as the two have endured a difficult relationship since the Portuguese took over Mauricio Pochettino in November.
A Spurs spokesperson said: “All of our players have been reminded to respect social distancing when exercising outdoors. We shall continue to reinforce this message.”
Sessegnon and Sanchez live in the same block of flats in Hadley Wood and decided to go for a jog at high pace together. Sources have told ESPN that not having a garden, unlike most of their teammates, has been an issue for them. It was not the first time they have gone for a jog together.
Serge Aurier went for a run with a friend who has been isolating with him, but sources told ESPN the pair believe they have done nothing wrong and they respected the government’s social distancing guidelines.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan criticised Tottenham’s behaviour and said: “My concern is, people particularly children who might support Spurs or follow football, may see these images, pick up a paper, watch the internet and think: ‘Well if it’s OK for them, why isn’t it OK for me?
“I don’t think it is necessary to be training in close proximity with another player who may be carrying the virus. And what you’re doing is inadvertently, unintentionally, potentially spreading the virus – you shouldn’t be doing that.”
Manchester City are also set to discipline defender Kyle Walker after he allegedly hosted a party with sex workers during the coronavirus lockdown.
The Premier League was suspended last month because of the pandemic and the government has asked the public to stay at home to help slow the spread of the virus.
Information from Reuters was used in this report