'FOLLOW THE RULES'
England trio Chilwell, Sancho and Abraham left out of Wales clash but will NOT be fined despite breaking Covid-19 rules
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ENGLAND trio Jadon Sancho, Ben Chilwell and Tammy Abraham have been left out the squad for Thursday's friendly with Wales.
The high profile stars flouted coronavirus rules to attend Abraham's packed 23rd birthday bash at his London mansion on Saturday but they will escape police action.
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Around 20 friends and family were gathered at the surprise party for the Chelsea striker with pictures showing no social distancing among the group.
Gareth Southgate is furious at the latest Covid gaffe by members of his squad and will warn the entire group about their future conduct.
Coronavirus rules ban people from mixing in groups of more than six, with fines of up to £10,000.
But the Metropolitan Police will not be investigating the 'rule of six' breach further.
A statement today read: "As a matter of course the MPS [Metropolitan Police Service] is not investigating COVID-related issues retrospectively.
"Where we become aware of a breach occurring, officers will seek to engage, explain and encourage people to follow the rules, only enforcing as a last resort.
"Where alleged breaches are brought to our attention after the event, officers will not have not had the opportunity to engage, explain or encourage, and those involved will not have had the opportunity to respond positively to that process - as most people do.
"Therefore, it would not be appropriate or an effective use of resources in most circumstances to investigate or pursue enforcement.
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"We encourage everyone to make themselves aware of, and to follow, the rules."
Despite the Met's decision to drop the matter, FA chiefs will continue to investigate having told the three to stay away from the Three Lions' St George's Park base on Monday.
The entire England squad will be tested for coronavirus again today in line with Uefa rules but the trio will not be in attendance.
An FA statement yesterday said: "As a precaution to understand if there is any risk to the wider group, the arrival of Tammy Abraham, Ben Chilwell and Jadon Sancho will be delayed.
"This is to allow time to gather further information of a social gathering that all three players reportedly attended over the weekend."
Footage from the party, following Chelsea’s 4-0 win over Crystal Palace in which left-back Chilwell scored, surfaced on social media.
One video shows Chilwell, 23, laughing with team-mate Abraham after spotting him chatting to a blonde.
Striker Abraham is filmed alongside his girlfriend, Leah Monroe, as a group of about 20 sing Happy Birthday.
Borussia Dortmund winger Sancho, 20, - who has since issued an apology - is seen dancing in a crowd with a mask around his chin.
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Southgate left two other young stars, Phil Foden and Mason Greenwood, out of the squad for breaching Covid protocols with two Icelandic beauties last month.
A source close to Abraham said of the party: “He genuinely had no idea it was going to happen. He and Sancho didn’t drink alcohol.
“It was family and very close friends only — and they even did temperature checks on arrival.”
Abraham said: “I arrived home to find a small surprise gathering.
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“Though I was totally unaware this was planned, I would like to wholeheartedly apologise for the naivety shown for the organisation and attending of this gathering.
“All I can do now is learn from it, apologise to everyone and ensure it never happens again.”
Piers Morgan slams Abraham, Chilwell and Sancho for breaking Covid rules and tells Southgate to AXE England trio
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