Paul Scholes facing fine after flouting lockdown rules by hosting tournament

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes is facing a hefty fine after allegedly breaching coronavirus guidelines for the second time.

At the beginning of last month, Scholes came under fire after images emerged on social media showing partygoers celebrating son Arron’s 21st birthday at the family’s home in Oldham, Greater Manchester.

Millions of people in the North West and Yorkshire are under stricter guidelines with cases putting them in the “red” rating.

Ahead of fresh guidelines being introduced for the rest of the country, Oldham is one of the hardest hit areas, with 132 infections per 100,000 people as of Monday.

But according to the Sun, Scholes could find himself in hot water once again after hosting a mini-tournament in the garden of his £3.9million home.

The 45-year-old uploaded a video of a small sided game to social media, with the caption: “Just what I need tonight, Arron and his bell*** mates.”

A source told the Sun: “Either he lives on the moon or doesn’t care about the rules.

“It’s a flagrant breach in a town really struggling with the virus.”

Local MP Debbie Abrahams said: “I implore everyone to stick to the restrictions.

“This pandemic has killed 270 people in Oldham and Saddleworth.”

The Sun suggest that Scholes could be fined £3,200 for his second breach, with more than 20 people attending the tournament.

Back in May, scientists warned that family gatherings like birthdays and weddings were among the “super-spreaders” of coronavirus.

Adam Kucharski, a senior epidemiologist at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said: “If you look at where these super-spreading events occur, it’s often at family gatherings and meals and weddings and parties.

“We are seeing ten or so people getting infected instead of the usual reproduction number, which is about two or three.”

On Tuesday, it was confirmed that any plans for fans to return to sporting events would be paused, with new restrictions set to be in place for six months.