Man Utd fan sacked for breaking two metre rule with Riyad Mahrez selfie
A Manchester United fan lost his job on his first day after breaking coronavirus restrictions to get a selfie with Manchester City star Riyad Mahrez.
Groundworker Craig Willis, 37, said he was shown the door within hours of starting the new job.
He had been hired by an agency to look after paving at a luxury apartment complex but failed to follow strict coronavirus rules.
The dad-of-five said he spotted the Algerian winger, 29, as he was being shown around and approached him for a picture.
He claims Mahrez seemed happy to pose with him and gave him a fist bump afterwards.
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But Craig said he was called by his supervisor as he made his way home on Monday and told not to return the next day.
He had signed a form which made it clear that getting within two metres of anyone on the site near Macclesfield, Cheshire, was cause for instant dismissal.
He said: ‘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.’
Craig said he returned to the site the following day to pick up his tools, when his sacking was confirmed.
He added: ‘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.
‘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.’
Craig was contracted to work for Pavetec. A spokesperson for the company declined to comment.
The site is being developed by the PJ Livesey Group. A spokesperson said: ‘The safety and security of everyone on our sites is of paramount importance at all times and the rules on this are very clear.’
There is no suggestion that Mahrez complained or was involved in the decision.
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