England drop Mason Greenwood, Phil Foden for quarantine violations

England manager Gareth Southgate has dropped Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood and Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden from the national team after the pair violated coronavirus-related health and safety protocols.

Iceland outlet 433.is is reporting Greenwood and Foden brought women back to their Reykjavik hotel following Saturday's 1-0 victory over Iceland. Southgate removed the players from his squad before the Three Lions boarded a flight to Copenhagen for Tuesday's Nations League match versus Denmark.

Per James Olley of ESPN, Southgate told reporters: 

"Unfortunately this morning it was brought to my attention that the two boys have broken the COVID guidelines in terms of our secure bubble. They couldn't have interaction with the rest of the team.

"Nothing has happened in the areas we occupy in the hotel. We are still getting the depths of the information. Still getting to grips with the detail. We have spent such a long time getting measures in place and the whole squad followed that to the letter.

"I'm not going into any more details until I'm clear of everything. No-one from outside the hotel has been into the areas we occupy. We are very clear that no other members of our party have been in contact with the two players — couldn't join us for breakfast or training. It is a very serious situation and we have treated it that way.

"I think at the moment I'm trying to take a lot of information in. Obviously they have been naive, we have dealt with it appropriately. I recognize their age, but the whole world is dealing with this pandemic."

In a statement shared by ESPN, United admonished Greenwood, 18:

"Manchester United are liaising with the Football Association and are disappointed with the actions of Mason Greenwood over this situation."

City also lashed out at Foden, who turned 20 years old in May: 

"It is clear that Phil’s actions were totally inappropriate.

"His behaviour not only directly contravenes strict guidelines related to Covid-19, but also falls well below the standard expected of a Manchester City player and England international.

"The Club supports the FA regarding this incident, and officials from the Club are now in touch in relation to Phil’s enforced early return to the UK."

It's believed Tuesday's match between England and Denmark will go on as scheduled.