The potential breach did not come on the pitch, as some have wrongly assumed
Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell could be absent for England’s last 16 game after it was announced they were isolating as a precaution following contact with Chelsea teammate Billy Gilmour on Friday night.
The trio were pictured talking on the Wembley pitch after Gilmour had turned in a man of the match performance for Scotland in the goalless Euro 2020 draw.
It was confirmed on Monday that Gilmour has since returned a positive Covid-19 test result, with England later releasing a statement that Mount and Chilwell would be isolating after consultation with Public Health England. Both players – along with the rest of the England squad and coaching team – had all tested negative on Sunday and Monday.
According to a report by the Mirror, the potential breach of coronavirus rules did not come as the players chatted on the pitch, as many assumed. Instead, it relates to a lengthy chat the three players had in the Wembley tunnel. Although Gareth Southgate said he was unaware of the details, the report claims the players were seen talking for 25 minutes in the tunnel.
Should Public Health England and Uefa decide this amounts to “close contact”, Mount and Chilwell will have to complete 10 days in isolation, which will rule them out of England’s last 16 game.
Southgate is currently awaiting an update on whether the two players will be available for selection for Tuesday night’s final group game against the Czech Republic, though it appears highly unlikely either will feature as kick-off draws closer.
England won their opener but were worryingly lethargic against Scotland, who were good value for their point. Despite this, the Three Lions learned on Monday that they are assured of their place in the last 16 after the final games in groups B and C guaranteed they will have enough to qualify as one of the best third-place finishers – if they lose to the Czechs.
