Chelsea’s Abraham ‘deeply regrets’ birthday party Covid breach
Chelsea and England striker Tammy Abraham has apologised “for the naivety shown” after a breach of coronavirus guidelines.
It is understood a group of more than six people, including England team-mates Ben Chilwell and Jadon Sancho, attended a surprise party for Abraham’s 23rd birthday at his home on Saturday.
Gatherings of more than six people are banned in England.
Abraham said he was unaware the party was planned but “deeply regrets” it.
The party, which was first reported by the Sun, happened hours after Abraham played in Chelsea’s 4-0 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday and before he was due to join up with the England squad this week.
Police have the power to break up groups larger than six and those who ignore officers could be fined £100 – doubling with each offence to a maximum of £3,200.
It is understood those at the party were close friends and family who had their temperatures checked on arrival.
“On Saturday evening I arrived home to find a small surprise gathering had been organised for me with family and close friends to celebrate my birthday,” Abraham said.
“Although I was totally unaware this was planned, I would like to wholeheartedly apologise for the naivety shown by all for the organisation and attending of this gathering.
“I recognise that I have a responsibility both in my professional and personal life to honour and respect the guidelines and deeply regret that this took place.
“All I can do now is learn from it, apologise to everyone and ensure it never happens again.”
Last month, Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden and Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood were dropped from an England camp after an “unacceptable” breach of Covid-19 quarantine guidelines in Iceland.
England manager Gareth Southgate was already planning to talk to his squad this week about “what it means to wear the shirt”, following the incident involving Foden and Greenwood.
Southgate plans to give his players “some reminders on how we work”.
“That’s not a case of reading the riot act,” he said last week. “That’s a case of asking the players what sort of team they want to be involved in and be a part of.”
England play a friendly against Wales on 8 October, plus Nations League fixtures against Belgium and Denmark on 11 and 14 October respectively. All three games will be played at Wembley.
