England’s coronavirus rule breakers Jadon Sancho, Tammy Abraham and Ben Chilwell have been blocked from joining up with the squad while the incident is investigated by the FA.
All three players were filmed at a surprise birthday party for Chelsea striker Abraham at his London flat on Saturday night with around 20 people in attendance, breaching the government’s ‘rule of six’ restrictions.
The trio were due to meet up at St George’s Park on Monday, with the Three Lions facing a gruelling schedule of three matches in just seven days.
However, the Football Association have told the three players to delay their arrival until the rule breach has been investigated more thoroughly, while they will be required to take coronavirus tests before being admitted into the bubble.
‘As a precaution to understand if there is any risk to the wider group, the arrival of Tammy Abraham, Ben Chilwell and Jadon Sancho will be delayed,’ explained the FA in a statement.
‘This is to allow time to gather further information of a social gathering that all three players reportedly attended over the weekend.’
As Sancho, Abraham and Chilwell were never in the bubble to begin with, they will likely be allowed to join up with the squad if they test negative for coronavirus – though Gareth Southgate may decide to discipline them anyway.
He will have precious few options in attack if he does, however, with Raheem Sterling withdrawing from the squad with an injury picked up against Leeds United.
England have made one new call-up to cover that absence, with Chelsea full-back Reece James handed a first senior call-up and linking up with the other 26 players who are in the biosecure bubble.
The Three Lions are in action against Wales on Thursday in a friendly and then host two UEFA Nations League clashes against Belgium and Denmark on Sunday and Wednesday respectively.
