Jose Mourinho admits mistake after defying social-distancing rules to host training session in park

Tottenham manager was pictured flaunting UK government rules by meeting Tanguy Ndombele

ENFIELD, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 20: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of Tottenham Hotspur during the Tottenham Hotspur training session at Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre on November 20, 2019 in Enfield, EnglaShow more

Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho has acknowledged he made a mistake after he held a private training session at a London park.

Mourinho, 57, was pictured on social media flaunting UK government rules by meeting midfielder Tanguy Ndombele at Hadley Common on Tuesday, even though they kept to social-distancing guidelines.

Fellow Spurs players Davinson Sanchez and Ryan Sessegnon were spotted running side by side in a separate session, while Serge Aurier filmed himself on Instagram running alongside a friend.

According to UK government guidelines, people are permitted to go outside to exercise once per day, but are instructed to do so alone or with a member from the same household.

Mourinho has held his hands up and confessed that he was in the wrong.

"I accept that my actions were not in line with government protocol and we must only have contact with members of our own household," he said.

"It is vital we all play our part and follow government advice in order to support our heroes in the NHS and save lives."

While Mourinho accepts he was in the wrong by holding the session, it was an isolated incident with group sessions taking place online.

It is the latest bad news story for Tottenham, who have already drawn public criticism for their decision to impose pay cuts on the club's 550-strong non-playing staff while relying on the UK government's furlough-relief scheme.

Tottenham recorded revenues of £460.7 million (Dh2.09 billion) for the year ending June 30, 2019 with profits of £68.6m, according to figures released last month. They are drawing flak even as Liverpool made a u-turn on their decision to furlough staff and bowed to pressure from their supporters.