Watford captain Troy Deeney has criticised players who broke coronavirus restrictions over Christmas and New Year.
A number of players from several Premier League clubs were pictured at gatherings that contravened the strict rules put in place to try to limit the spread of Covid-19.
Deeney told talkSPORT: “When it doesn’t affect you, if you haven’t had anyone suffer with Covid, you start going, ‘How much longer do I have to live like this?’ Especially as players, you feel superhuman, like nothing will get me. And you do take it for granted.
I want to apologise for a decision I made over Christmas which I deeply regret. On reflection I understand the seriousness of my actions and the impact it has on others.
I am truly thankful to everyone working hard to keep us safe and I feel ashamed knowing I’ve let people down.— Erik Manuel Lamela (@ErikLamela) January 2, 2021
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“The only thing I would say is, look at the year we’ve just had, it’s been horrible for everybody, but we are in a privileged position.
“I’m going to upset a few people with what I say here but: you know better. We know better as players. Don’t be posting (on social media) and then be going, ‘Why are people coming for me?’
“When you’re in the public eye you know your responsibility and you know your role.”
There have been calls for players who break the rules to be banned, but Deeney believes that needs to come from the authorities rather than self-policing by clubs.
He said: “They won’t do that because ultimately it comes down to winning games. It’s on the Premier League to make that call and the FA.”
