It was reported on Saturday that Tottenham players Sergio Reguilon, Giovani Lo Celso and Erik Lamela had gathered over Christmas along with West Ham ace Manuel Lanzini, apparently in breach of Covid-19 restrictions.
A photo shared on social media showed the four players along with 11 other adults, a baby and two young children in a picture supposedly taken at Lo Celso’s London home on Christmas Day, although the date and location have not been verified.
Tottenham issued a statement condemning the actions of their trio of stars, saying the club was “extremely disappointed… particularly as we know the sacrifices everybody around the country made to stay safe over the festive period.”
West Ham issued a similarly stern statement against the actions of Lanzini, saying that the matter had been dealt with “internally.”
The players have been blasted online, with Tottenham MP David Lammy describing them as “stupid and selfish” while others branded them “disrespectful.”
Following Tottenham’s 3-0 Premier League win over Leeds on Saturday – in which none of Lo Celso, Lamela and Reguilon featured, despite the latter being on the bench – Spurs boss Mourinho had his say on the matter.
The Portuguese seemed particularly perturbed after he had gifted left-back Reguilon – who arrived from Real Madrid during the summer – a piglet to eat over Christmas, believing the 24-year-old would be alone for the festive season.
“[It was] an amazing gift. Portuguese piglet – which is amazing for Portuguese and Spanish. I gave him [it] because I was told he was going to spend Christmas on his own,” Mourinho said. “He was not alone as you can see.”
The Spurs boss also described the actions of the players as “a negative surprise” for the club as they navigate a congested fixture list during the festive season.