Real Madrid's Jovic blasted for skipping self-isolation on return to Serbia
Luka Jovic has come in for scathing criticism for ignoring mandatory self-isolation orders, as the Real Madrid player was spotted out celebrating his girlfriend's birthday in Belgrade.
Real Madrid striker Luka Jovic has come in for harsh criticism in his native Serbia for leaving quarantine in Madrid and returning to Belgrade, where he was spotted out and about when he should have been in self-isolation.
The epicentre of the coronavirus crisis in Spain, Madrid, which has so far registered about half of Spain’s more than 17,000 cases and two thirds of related deaths, has been on lock down since last Saturday with residents warned to remain in their homes and not leave the city.
Jovic and other Serbian players who play in foreign clubs that have returned to Serbia have been called out by Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic for setting a bad example by not self-isolating upon their arrival home.
“We have seen the negative examples from our football stars, who are getting paid millions and are ignoring mandatory self-isolation upon returning home,” she said, without naming any players in particular.
Brnabic and other leaders have urged all Serbian citizens to refrain from returning home if possible to limit the spread of the virus. However, more than 45,000 people have returned, with many ignoring the self-isolation orders.
Jovic: Real Madrid striker criticised
“Instead of isolating himself, the forward was having fun all over Belgrade," reported Serbia’s Blic newspaper, adding that the police are tracking Jovic's movements.
"Luka did something very stupid. He left Madrid and club quarantine and, despite all the warnings, returned to Serbia,” reported another Serbian daily, Informer, explaining that the Real Madrid player had been out in Belgrade to celebrate his girlfriend's birthday.
Real Madrid’s staff and players have been in quarantine, while the club’s Valdebebas training base has been shut, after club basketball player, Trey Thompkins, tested positive for coronavirus last week.
Jovic admits to using same facilties as Thompkins
Following that announcement last week, Jovic admitted to having used the same facilities as Thompkins but explained that he felt fine at the time.
"We went to the training ground this morning but people from the club came to tell us that training had been cancelled - and there would be no more sessions during the next two weeks. We have been ordered to stay at home and remain in Madrid," Jovic told Serbian outlet B92 last week.
"When I fell injured and wasn't training with the group during the past two or three days, I used the same exercise equipment as a player who has contracted coronavirus...I feel really good, I don't have symptoms."
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