Paul Scholes spoken to by police over Oldham house party during coronavirus lockdown

The former midfielder is a co-owner of fourth-tier Salford City

Former Manchester United footballer Paul Scholes has been spoken to by police following claims he flouted lockdown rules by staging a house party for his son’s birthday.

A newspaper reported a seven-hour party was held at the Oldham home of Scholes, 45, on Friday night – the same day widespread Covid-19 restrictions were brought in across Greater Manchester which banned social gatherings in people’s homes and gardens.

Scholes was photographed wearing a “Lockdown Live” T-shirt at the event hosted by a DJ and said to be attended by dozens of youngsters, the newspaper added.

His son, Arron, 21, was also photographed wearing a similar T-shirt while daughter, Alicia, 19, who plays netball for Manchester Thunder, posed for a group photograph with friends before the celebrations.

In a statement, Greater Manchester Police said: “On Sunday we were made aware of allegations of an earlier breach of Covid-19 restrictions at a residential property in the Oldham area.

“In line with normal procedure and policing by consent, officers attended and engaged with an individual explaining the restrictions and encouraging them to be compliant.”

The midfielder won a string of trophies in a glittering career with United and earned 66 caps for England.

Scholes, co-owner of League Two side Salford City, has not commented on the report.

Figures released on Sunday showed the seven-day rate of new coronavirus cases in Oldham had jumped from 41.6 to 62.8 per 100,000 people with 148 new cases – the second highest rate in England.

PA