Tottenham Hotspur head coach Jose Mourinho said he was 'disappointed' in Sergio Reguilon, Giovanni Lo Celso and Erik Lamela following the publication of a picture showing that the three players had spent Christmas together - describing their actions as "a negative surprise".
The three players - plus West Ham United's Manuel Lanzini - broke coronavirus regulations after the picture showed them celebrating with 11 other adults, two children and a baby.
The trio were pictured at a large party over the festive period, with West Ham's Manuel Lanzini also in attendance, breaching strict tier four guidelines.
The photo was circulated on social media and Spurs have reacted angrily, with all three players facing disciplinary action.
Mourinho revealed that he had given Reguilon an "amazing gift" of a Portuguese piglet to eat as he thought the Spanish defender would be alone on Christmas Day.
He said that the "consequences" of the players' actions would be kept in-house.
Lamela was not named in the squad for Saturday's game with Leeds, Reguilon is on the bench and Lo Celso out injured.
The club said in a statement: "We are extremely disappointed and strongly condemn this image showing some of our players together at Christmas, as we know the sacrifices everybody around the country made to stay safe.''
"The rules are clear, there are no exceptions. The matter will be dealt with internally."
Jose Mourinho, Tottenham Hotspur head coach:
(asked about his reaction to the picture of three of his players breaking Covid regulations after he gave Sergio Reguilon a gift of a piglet for Christmas)
"An amazing gift, an amazing gift. A Portuguese piglet which is amazing for Portuguese and Spanish (people). So I gave him (the gift) as I was told that he was going to spend Christmas on his own and I had this thought about him. He was not alone as you could see. And we (at) the club, of course, we feel disappointed because we give the players all the education, we give the players all the conditions and of course we are not happy. It was a negative surprise for us."
Jose Mourinho, Tottenham Hotspur head coach:
(asked if he was more angry than disappointed)
"I prefer to say disappointed. We know what we are internally, we don't need to open the door to you and let you know what is going on internally, what are going to be the consequences, how did we approach that negative surprise. I feel disappointed, just that."