Andre Gray was one of three players left out of the Watford squad for the team’s vital match against Southampton on Sunday after the striker reportedly hosted a party in contravention of government lockdown rules. Domingos Quina and Nathaniel Chalobah were the other two players reported to be in attendance.
🚨 TEAM NEWS 🚨
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) June 28, 2020
Andre Gray, Nathaniel Chalobah and Domingos Quina have all been omitted from the squad by Nigel Pearson to ensure the health & safety of all players, staff and officials at today’s game.#WATSOU pic.twitter.com/OfDqbM9yeN
Watford’s website said all three “have all been omitted from the squad to ensure the health and safety of all players, staff and officials at today’s game”, a fact confirmed by manager Nigel Pearson before the match.
Videos posted on Gray’s Instagram account showed an event that appeared to breach the official rules on social gatherings, which is that up to six people can meet in a garden while maintaining physical distance.
On Saturday, Watford released a statement saying the club was “aware of social media posts suggesting two of our players have contravened the lockdown protocols” and “will fully investigate the matter”.
