Ronaldo under investigation for breaking coronavirus protocol
Italy's sports minister, Vincenzo Spadafora, says an investigation has been opened on Cristiano Ronaldo after the Juventus star flew back to Italy following his coronavirus diagnosis.
Italian Sports Minister, Vincenzo Spadafora, has once again rallied against Cristiano Ronaldo over the Juventus striker’s decision to fly back to Italy following his positive coronavirus test while on international duty with Portugal almost two weeks ago.
Ronaldo has been self-isolating in his Turin home since testing positive for covid-19 and missed Juve's 1-1 draw with Crotone in Serie A last weekend and their 2-0 Champions League win over Dynamo Kiev on Tuesday.
Spadafora made headlines after he criticised the former Real Madrid player for flying back to Italy, claiming that he had not respected protocol and was not given authorisation to fly by health authorities.
Ronaldo soon responded through an Instagram live video while on quarantine, stating that claims that he had broken protocol were lies.
“I’m respecting the protocol, I did not break it, as has been said: It’s a lie,” said Ronaldo.
“I returned from Portugal because my team and I made sure to comply with all the procedures. I returned to Italy by air ambulance and I have had no contact with anyone, even in Turin."
Following Ronaldo’s response, Spadafora charged the player for being “arrogant” and “disrespectful” after his decision to return to Italy with coronavirus without authorisation.
“The skills of a certain player don’t authorise them to be arrogant, disrespectful to the institutions and to lie,” Spadafora said to news agency ANSA.
Ronaldo under investigation
Spadafora at the time said he did not want to speak further about the matter, but in an interview with Rai Tre on Sunday, the Italian sports minister revealed that an investigation has been opened surrounding Ronaldo’s unauthorised flight back to Italy following his coronavirus diagnosis.
"Cristiano did not respect the protocol. There is an investigation by the Federal Prosecutor's Office to prove it,” said Spadafora.
He added: "The virus has taught us that no one is exempt, obviously they are all people who have tried to respect the protocols as much as possible, but the only solution in the end is to stay at home.”