Man City investigating after Benjamin Mendy hosts New Years Eve party

The club have expressed their disappointment after reports Mendy breached Covid-19 protocol

Manchester City are to hold an internal investigation after it was reported that Benjamin Mendy breached Covid-19 protocol to hold a New Years Eve party. The French international is said to have invited people from outside his household to the party at his Cheshire home, something which goes against government-imposed Tier 4 restrictions in England. The initial report appeared in The Sun, and while City have stressed that some elements have been 'misinterpreted', the club have confirmed in a statement that an investigation will now be conducted. Mendy was named on the City bench for their league encounter with Chelsea, on Sunday.

"While it is understood that elements of this incident have been misinterpreted in the reports, and that the player has publicly apologised for his error, the club is disappointed to learn of the transgression and will be conducting an internal investigation," the statement read.

As reported by The Sun, a spokesperson for Mendy explained:

"Benjamin and his partner allowed a chef and two friends of his partner to attend his property for a dinner party on New Years Eve. Ben accepts that this is a breach of Covid-19 protocols and is sorry for his actions in this matter. Ben has had a Covid test and is liaising with Manchester City about this.”

The development comes within a week of City's league encounter with Everton being suspended a matter of hours before its scheduled kick-off at Goodison Park.

The Premier League took the decision to postpone the game after City reported a number of fresh Covid-19 positive tests amongst their first team squad. Everton later indicated they had requested full disclosure of the information which prompted the postponement.

Three more City players have been ruled out of the club's game with Chelsea on Sunday, though the club have not revealed their identities.

Fulham's match against Burnley on Sunday was postponed under similar circumstances after an increase in positive cases at the London club.

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