If the Football Association intends to ban players for violating Covid-19 protocols after Aleksandar Mitrovic of Fulham attended a New Year’s Eve party with Luka Milivojevic of Crystal Palace, Scott Parker will not be shocked.
A social media video showed Mitrovic and Milivojevic celebrating with at least seven other individuals indoors, flouting tier 4 regulations. Previously a photograph showing three Tottenham players, Érik Lamela, Sergio Reguilón and Giovani Lo Celso, at a party with Manuel Lanzini over the Christmas period encountered a furious reaction after its circulation last weekend.
The Serbian pair are not the only Premier League players to have flouted social distance rules recently. “I could understand it,” Fulham’s manager said. “If you go back to not just football players but the general public, people who are not sticking to the guidelines or restrictions, there seem to be some penalties now in place.
Of course, that is an option and I can see why that may be the case. We’re living in a moment that is very serious. A lot of people are losing their lives.” Parker said Fulham were disappointed with Mitrovic but insisted the striker’s remorse was genuine. “I’ve had a long conversation with Mitro regarding it. There’s a genuine and honest apology there. He knows he’s done wrong. “I also understand that people’s perception of it is that the people who have done bad are only apologizing because they’ve been caught. What I can tell you is that when I’ve spoken to him he’s very remorseful.”
After their games against Tottenham and Burnley were called off due to an outbreak in their squad, Fulham have not played since Boxing Day. And Parker’s side returns to action as they host Queens Park Rangers in the third round of the FA Cup. Parker acknowledged the authorities will have to step in if club penalties prove an ineffective deterrent.
