Anger as Arsenal trio escape FA sanctions for Tier 4 rule breaches

Three Arsenal players - who breached coronavirus regulations to fly to Dubai despite being in a Tier 4 area over the Christmas break - will not be investigated by the Women's Super League or the Football Association.

However, there is understood to be anger from within the squad at the unsanctioned trip, which led to one unnamed player testing positive for Covid-19 whilst several of her teammates now have to self-isolate. 

Club legend and WSL ambassador Ian Wright also questioned why the FA should agree to postpone this weekend's fixture against Aston Villa and suggested Arsenal should play with a weakened side.

Arsenal have formally asked for a postponement, although that request is yet to be granted.

The trio failed to inform the club of the trip and a later excuse that it was for business purposes was undermined by Republic of Ireland star Katie McCabe posing for pictures on the beach in a bikini.

Four Manchester City players also travelled to the UAE during the festive period but that trip was sanctioned by the club, Manchester at that point was not in Tier 4 and City made clear there were commercial reasons for the visit.