MX23RW : Thursday, May 9 19:42:38| >> :120:11232:11232:

Scott Parker "bitterly disappointed" by Aleksandar Mitrovic conduct

Parker
© Reuters
Scott Parker has urged footballers to take responsibility for their behaviour away from the training ground.

Fulham boss Scott Parker has branded Aleksandar Mitrovic's Covid-19 rule breach as "not acceptable".

Cottagers striker Mitrovic was one of a number of high-profile players to have broken coronavirus restrictions over the festive period when he was pictured with Crystal Palace captain Luka Milivojevic on New Year's Eve.

The incident was particularly galling for Parker, who himself had to self-isolate over Christmas after a member of his household tested positive, while Fulham's last two matches were postponed due to coronavirus cases among the squad.

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

"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."

Parker has urged footballers to take responsibility for their behaviour away from the training ground.

A handful of players from Tottenham, West Ham and Manchester City were also were caught ignoring the regulations over Christmas.

Parker added: "The responsibility is not just on football players but on everyone in this current climate.

"There are strict guidelines and restrictions in place for the reasons we all know. It goes for everyone.

"We've got strict protocols, what you can and can't do, we get tested twice a week, but of course players need to take responsibility when they leave the premises or come out of our bubble in terms of what they are doing and who they are mixing with."

Parker is looking forward to Fulham getting back into action after their unwanted winter break when they travel to west London neighbours QPR in the FA Cup on Saturday.

"We've had a bit of a rough time of late considering what's happened in terms of the squad  and some positive tests," he said.

"We're getting up to speed, slowly improving, getting people back. It's been a difficult time but it is what it is.

"We have used the time. In terms of the numbers we have had it's been difficult because we've not had a full squad to use, but we've got some really good work in.

"We've got a game at the weekend which we can get back on to things and start playing again, and that's vitally important for us."

ID:429542: cacheID:429542:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3762:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy pictured in September 2020
Read Next:
Pep Guardiola says Benjamin Mendy issue is 'finished'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal36265588286083
2Manchester CityMan City35257387335482
3Liverpool36239481384378
4Aston Villa36207973532067
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs351861169581160
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle351751378562256
7Chelsea351591170591154
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd35166135255-354
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham361310135670-1449
10Bournemouth36139145263-1148
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton351211125357-447
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves36137164960-1146
13Fulham36128165155-444
14Crystal Palace361110154957-843
15Everton36129153849-1137
16Brentford3699185260-836
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3689194563-1829
18Luton TownLuton3668224978-2926
19Burnley3659223974-3524
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd36372635100-6516


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!