Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has defended retaining Benjamin Mendy in his match squad for Sunday's 3-1 win at Chelsea after the defender became the latest Premier League player to breach English coronavirus rules during the holiday period.
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Mendy hosted friends at his house on New Year's Eve while City were already dealing with the impact of a coronavirus outbreak at the club that led to the postponement of Monday's match at Everton.
It has also forced six players into self-isolation, with defender Eric Garcia's positive test being the latest to be announced on Sunday.
Mendy allowed a chef and two friends of his partner to attend his home, a representative for the player was cited as telling The Sun newspaper.
People from different households are banned from mixing indoors in the northern English area where Mendy lives.
Mendy later issued a statement of apology while the club said it was disappointed and would conduct an internal investigation.
While he was in the match squad, Mendy did not take the field against Chelsea on Sunday.
Speaking afterwards, Guardiola claimed society was too quick to judge footballers.
Asked if he had considered leaving out Mendy, Guardiola said: "No, he's part of the group, he's one of the good guys. It must be love in our group. He's a special guy for all of us, he has an incredible heart.
"I would like to see how many people judge him if they have the good intentions he has.
"It would be better if, before we judge others, we judge ourselves.
"I'm not justifying that, he broke the rules. But don't give too many lessons to others.
"Of course it was not correct what he has done, but don't judge him too much."
Asked if footballers must be held to higher standards as role models, Guardiola said: "I would not agree with this. The only exception is we do our job. We appear more in social media and interviews, but that's it.
"I don't think footballers are more important than doctors, architect or teachers for my kids.
"Mendy knows he made a big mistake, but it finishes here."
On Saturday, a social media image was also published of Tottenham trio Erik Lamela, Sergio Reguilon and Giovani Lo Celso attending a large house party in London over the Christmas period in clear breach of the regulations.
Tottenham condemned the players, who could now face internal disciplinary action.
West Ham's Manuel Lanzini was also in attendance at the same party. The player issued an apology on social media for his "bad mistake" while the club said the matter had been dealt with internally.
Australian Associated Press
