Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish has hit the headlines after images appearing to be him were posted online following a traffic incident yesterday morning.
A number of media outlets report that an investigation has been launched after police were called to the Dickens Heath area of Solihull. It’s alleged that the 24-year-old Grealish was involved in an accident in a white Range Rover.
In a statement, West Midlands Police said: “We were called to Waterside, Dickens Heath, just before 10am to reports that a Range Rover had crashed into two parked cars in the street.
“The driver left his details with a member of the public at the scene before leaving on foot, and will be spoken to by police in due course. Minor damage was caused to the parked vehicles.
“Officers are investigating the circumstances and anyone with information has been asked to get in touch, via Live Chat at west-midlands.police.uk quoting log 643 of 29 March.”
The Daily Telegraph and talkSPORT say Premier League club Aston Villa were unavailable for comment yesterday.
However, according to the Birmingham Mail a source at Villa Park has said that “club bosses were still trying to contact the star for an explanation”.
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‘Hypocrite’ for not staying home
The alleged car crash is the main story on the front page of The Sun today.
The tabloid reports that Grealish “crashed his car following a 4am party” and appeared “unsteady and confused” moments after his £80,000 Range Rover collided with parked vehicles.
The Sun calls the Villa skipper a “hypocrite” who just 24 hours before had urged fans and the public to stay indoors during the coronavirus lockdown.
In a video posted on social media Grealish had said: “To help save lives you must stay at home. Only leave your house to buy food, buy medicine or to exercise and always remember to stay at least two metres apart.
“This is urgent, protect the NHS, stay home, save lives.”
‘Selfish and reckless’
On Good Morning Britain today, presenter Piers Morgan laid into “selfish” Grealish for ignoring his own advice to stay at home.
Morgan ranted: “Another day, another load of idiots. England footballer Jack Grealish, Aston Villa star, had a lot to say last week.
“Gave a video message – ‘To help save lives you must be at home. Only leave your house to buy food, to buy medicine or to exercise. Always stay at least two metres apart. This is urgent. Protect the NHS, stay home, save lives.’
“Really good words, yeah, great, until you go out to your mates’ house on the lash all night for a party, get in your car, crash into a load of other cars. Allegedly.
“What are you thinking Jack? What happened to your little guidance? What happened to what you told us about saving lives and staying home?
“Doesn’t help when an England star, a role model, does that. Acts with total impunity and selfishness and recklessness. Shame on you.”
Old Trafford move scuppered?
The talented midfielder has been linked with a big-money move this summer, with Premier League teams Manchester United and Tottenham among the interested parties.
However, the Daily Star says United may now “consider an alternative” after the Villa captain hit the headlines.
It’s understood that United were prepared to pay up to £70m for his services, with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer seeing Grealish as a “good partner” for Bruno Fernandes.
The Star says this may be about to change and United could now “shift their focus to Leicester midfielder James Maddison”.
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