Hodgson warns of 'strong consquences' for future coronavirus breaches

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has warned his players that there will be 'strong consequences' for anyone caught breaching coronavirus restrictions.

Hodgson handed his captain Luka Milivojevic a starting place in the Premier League match against Sheffield United on 2 January, despite the fact that he had been pictured with Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic on New Year's Eve, even though household mixing is not permitted.

Milivojevic has made a donation to the NHS and apologised publicly but his boss warned today that any other player that breaks the rules around the restrictions will be dealt with more severely.

"The consequence would be harsher, there is no doubt about that," Hodgson said ahead of the FA Cup third-round trip to Wolves on Friday.

"We have had one player who has broken the rules and been punished accordingly, but the players have had it made very clear to them in the future there is to be no breaking of any Government guidelines.

"And anybody who does will face the consequences, and the consequences will be very strong ones and ones the players don't want to suffer.

"Let's hope that message has got home loud and clear and not only at our club, but clubs up and down the country."

Fulham manager Scott Parker.

Fulham's match against Tottenham on 30 December was called off after some positive Covid-19 cases at the west London club.

Whites boss Scott Parker said on Thursday that Mitrovic's Covid-19 rule breach on New Year's Eve was "not acceptable" while he also revealed that the centre-forward has been reminded of his responsibilities.

"I'm disappointed. Myself and the football club were bitterly disappointed to see the picture of Aleks," said Parker.

"He understands he's made a mistake. He understands it was irresponsible. It's not acceptable. We've dealt with that as a football club internally.

"Like anyone, you make mistakes and the one Aleks has made, he'll have to live with the consequences."

Liverpool | Manager Jurgen Klopp has not ruled out the possibility of dipping into the transfer market to sign a new centre-back this month.

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