England footballers Phil Foden and Mason Greenwood apologised for breaching the COVID-19 safety protocol in Iceland while on England duty.
The 20-year-old midfielder, Foden, and striker Greenwood, 18, were axed from the squad for the UEFA Nations League trip to Denmark on Tuesday, after reports emerged that the duo had invited women to the hotel where the England team was staying.
Foden and Greenwood made their debuts in England’s 1-0 win over Iceland on Saturday.
England manager Gareth Southgate added that they had been isolated from the rest of the squad and would travel back from Iceland to Britain separately.
Foden, in a statement, said, "I apologize to Gareth Southgate, to my England teammates, to the staff, supporters, and also to my club and my family."
"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.
"On this occasion I made a poor decision and my behavior didn't meet the standards expected of me," he said.
Greenwood, too, issued an apology through a statement on the Manchester United website, apologising to Southgate "for letting him down when he had shown great trust in me".
"Playing for England was one of the proudest moments in my life and I only have myself to blame for this huge mistake.
"I promise my family, the fans, Manchester United and England that this is a lesson I will learn from," Greenwood said in the statement.
