Manchester United fan Craig Willis was sacked from his job in bizarre circumstances this week.
The groundworker says he was dismissed just hours into his new job after violating social-distancing rules by posing for a selfie with Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez.
Willis was hired by an agency to help with the paving of a luxury apartment and spotted one of his rival club's finest players this season as he was being shown around the property.
The dad-of-five approached the Algerian for a photograph at the expense of the two-metre rule, though he claims Mahrez had no problem with it and even gave him a fist bump.
Nevertheless, it had been stipulated in his contract that breaking COVID-19 rules was cause for an instant dismissal and he received a call from his manager on the way home telling him not to return.
Man Utd fan sacked after selfie
Willis told the Metro: "I think it’s a bit out of order. Mahrez seemed pretty cool with it. I asked and he said: 'Yes, no problem.'
"I had the photo, had a fist bump, then got the call on the way home. I took the selfie for my best mate. He’s a Manchester City fan. I support Manchester United. But it’s not every day you see someone like that.
"Thinking about it, [two metres] is a rule, isn’t it? If I’ve signed something then fair enough. You can’t tell lies. I didn’t think about it.
Important social-distancing rules
"I’ve broken the rules. But it wasn’t explained properly. That’s the only thing I can say about it. And I did ask him. I was working and he walked past. I said: 'Are you alright for a photo?' He then came towards me."
Willis explained that he returned to the site the following day to pick up his tools and leave after the sacking was made officially shortly afterwards.
We can only imagine Roy Keane face-palming wherever he's lurking today, bewildered by a United fan's decision to take a selfie with a City player at the expense of his employment, albeit accidentally.
Jokes aside, though, keep your distance everybody. COVID-19 has tragically taken thousands of lives already and everyone maintaining the correct separation will be key to the country recovering.
