Piers Morgan hits out at Tottenham boss Mourinho for organising training session for players in park
Piers Morgan has slammed Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho after he was spotted taking a training session with three of his players in a London park.
The Spurs boss faces a police warning after organising the workout, in which his players appeared to flout the government’s social distancing guidelines amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
And Morgan did not hold back in his criticism of the former Chelsea and Manchester United manager, letting rip on Good Morning Britain on Wednesday.
Jose Mourinho was spotted out in a park with players as he appeared to take a training session
Piers Morgan, speaking on Good Morning Britain, hit out at the Spurs boss for his actions
‘On a less positive note, we have found more idiots, I’m afraid,’ Morgan told his co-host Susanna Reid. ‘What are you thinking Jose? What are you thinking players?
‘Tottenham, at the moment, quite rightly, are getting vilified as a club for the decision taken by their billionaire owner Joe Lewis and their chief executive Daniel Levy to furlough staff when they’ve got gazillions to spend on players.
‘And now we see the players and the manager having an unofficial training session, apparently not sanctioned by the club.’
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan was also shown the video and pictures of Mourinho and was quick to talk about the responsibility those in the public eye have, and the need for them to obey guidelines.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has also hit out at Mourinho and says he should lead by example
‘My issue is, leading by example,’ he told BBC Breakfast, ‘and my concern is, particularly children, who may support Spurs or follow football, they watch these images, pick up a paper, watch the internet and think, “well if it’s okay for them, why isn’t it okay for me?”
‘And that’s why it’s so important, all of us, we’re doing this interview using Skype. I’ve not left my home to do media or to do work for the last three weeks or so, to demonstrate that it is possible to work from home… unless you really, really, really have to leave home.
‘And the point I’d make, with politeness and courtesy, is ask yourself the question: is what I’m doing really necessary?
‘And the answer is no, it isn’t necessary to be training in close proximity with another player, who may be carrying the virus, and what you’re doing is inadvertently, unintentionally potentially spreading the virus. You shouldn’t be doing that.’
Mourinho, who has already been warned by Tottenham, was spotted overseeing a drill involving members of his squad – most notably Tanguy Ndombele – at Hadley Common in Barnet.
Mourinho and his players appeared to flout social distancing rules by meeting up in Barnet
Tottenham duo Davinson Sanchez and Ryan Sessegnon were spotted out running on Tuesday
In clips and photos posted on social media, Davinson Sanchez and Ryan Sessegnon were also filmed jogging side by side elsewhere in north London, while Serge Aurier was filmed in close quarters by a friend during a run.
Morgan admits he was shocked to see Mourinho so openly ignoring the government’s advice as the country tries to halt the spread of coronavirus.
‘I was very surprised about this because Mourinho has been very good in delivering food parcels for the media and so on,’ Morgan continued.
‘But for Jose Mourinho, the Tottenham manager, to be having an unofficial training session with players, in which they’re clearly ignoring the social distancing rules. It sends out completely the wrong signal.’
In a separate video, Ivory Coast international defender Serge Aurier was seen out with a friend
Spurs said that they would remind Mourinho and his players to respect social distancing
Arsenal fan Morgan was joined by his show’s resident medical expert, Dr Hilary Jones, who also weighed in on the subject and hit out at Mourinho.
‘It sends the wrong signal and people need to be constantly reminded of what the guidelines are,’ he began. ‘One form of exercise for a short period of time, not sitting on the grass sunbathing – that doesn’t have any benefit, whereas exercise does.
‘There are multiple reasons why we give these guidelines and if people follow them we will save lives and protect the NHS.’
Former Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp also appeared on talkSPORT on Wednesday morning and was asked about Mourinho’s actions.
Harry Redknapp says it may have been more appropriate for players to use the training ground
In response, Redknapp asked whether it may have been more appropriate for Spurs’ players to use the facilities at their training ground.
‘I imagine they all live near the training ground somewhere, surely they’d be better off popping into the training ground wouldn’t they?’ he said.
‘I mean that would be empty, there would be no one there. It’s probably as close as the park though, when you think about it, I don’t know.
‘Listen, we’ve all got to obey the rules, haven’t we. If we want to clear this thing up. We’ve got to make sure if we’re told to stay in and keep our distance, then we’ve got to do it.’
