Hodgson: Eze was 'naive' to attend QPR's FA Cup clash against Fulham
Eberechi Eze was ‘naive’ in breaking Covid rules to attend QPR’s FA Cup clash against Fulham, admits Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson as he insists the winger will ‘learn a harsh lesson’ from lockdown breach
- Eberechi Eze came under fire for returning to old side QPR for game v Fulham
- The FA are looking into a breach of lockdown with Eze failing to wear a mask
- The Palace star was also not social distancing from other players in the stands
- His boss Roy Hodgson said he displayed ‘naivity’ but insists he will learn from it
Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson admitted Eberechi Eze showed ‘naivety’ when he became the latest footballer to breach coronavirus protocols last weekend.
The playmaker attended former club QPR’s FA Cup tie with Fulham on Saturday and failed to wear a mask at all times while at Loftus Road.
Eze, 22, was also not socially distanced, with just a seat between him and another person in the directors’ box.
Eberechi Eze was ‘naive’ in watching QPR’s game against Fulham, admits his boss Roy Hodgson
The Crystal Palace winger failed to wear a mask or social distance from others in the stands
A statement from Palace on Monday insisted they would deal with the matter internally and described his actions as an ‘error of judgement’.
‘It was very disappointing. It was a lot of naivety on his part to think he was OK to do those things. It obviously isn’t,’ Hodgson said.
‘He has apologised and will learn a harsh lesson from it and we will have to act internally to make sure it is a lesson well and truly learned.’
Eze, who has accepted he made a mistake by attending the game, is facing punishment by Palace, while the FA are also investigation a potential breach of lockdown protocols.
Hodgson said he had displayed ‘naivity’ but insisted he would learn a ‘harsh lesson’ from it
In a statement, Palace said: ‘Whilst we recognize Eberechi’s desire to support his former team mates, he accepts it was an error of judgment to attend the match.
‘We were also concerned to see pictures of Eberechi not wearing a mask at certain moments and are speaking to him about these apparent lapses, which will be dealt with internally.’
QPR boss Mark Warburton has come under fire for allowing Eze to watch the match at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium and he has held his hands up to admit the club were wrong to accept the player’s request.
Eze has conceded he made an error and Palace said the matter will be dealt with internally
‘We made the error. A request was made, it should have been politely rejected for obvious reasons. That mistake was made and will not happen again but as a club we do stringently apply firm protocols because we have to. All staff will be reminded because of this incident.
‘Had we declined it, Eberechi would have had no problem at all.
‘He is an outstanding character, outstanding individual who I cannot speak highly enough of. The fact he is getting negative publicity is, for me, very frustrating but, a mistake has been made simple as that.’
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