Manchester City have expressed their 'disappointment' with Benjamin Mendy after it emerged he broke Covid-19 regulations.

The defender is said to have hosted a New Year's Eve party, which is not permitted under restrictions currently in place in the UK.

However, the club have also said that some reports in newspapers have 'misinterpreted' certain elements of the story.

They say they will hold an internal investigation into the matter.

"While it is understood that elements of this incident have been misinterpreted in the reports [carried by newspapers earlier], and that the player has publicly apologised for his error, the club is disappointed to learn of the transgression and will be conducting an internal investigation," a club statement said.

A spokesperson for the French international has also spoken out to explain the situation further.

"Benjamin and his partner allowed a chef and two friends of his partner to attend his property for a dinner party on New Year's Eve.

"Ben accepts that this is a breach of Covid-19 protocols and is sorry for his actions in this matter. Ben has had a Covid test and is liaising with Manchester City about this."

Manchester City have already experienced significant trouble with the virus, and today [Sunday] confirmed that Eric Garcia has become the sixth player to contract coronavirus.

An unnamed member of staff has also tested positive.

News of Mendy's party comes soon after three Tottenham players were criticised for their own breach of regulations.

Jose Mourinho said he and the club were 'disappointed' after images on social media showed Erik Lamela, Sergio Reguilon and Giovani Lo Celso at a party over the Christmas period.

A number of games have fallen to an increase in Covid cases, including Spurs' meeting with Fulham last Wednesday.

The Cottagers also saw their fixture against Burnley, scheduled for Sunday, postponed as they battled an outbreak of the virus.