André-Pierre Gignac will not participate in the MLS All-Star Game
The French international is the leading scorer in Liga MX and he will not play against the MLS All-Star team because he is unvaccinated for covid-19.
Tigres UANL striker André-Pierre Gignac is the leading 2022 Clausura leading scorer but he will not travel with the Liga MX All-Star roster. The reason behind his absence is because the French international is unvaccinated for covid-19 and he will miss the MLS All-Star Game scheduled for 10 August at Allianz Field.
The 36-year-old was initially included in the 26-man roster that was going to travel for the matchup but he made a personal decision to opt out from participating. Gignac used his social media accounts to confirm he will not play in the MLS All-Star Game next month and according to Milenio, ‘he is not the only player in Liga MX who is not vaccinated.’
Official statement
“Good morning. On the topic that came up today, I want to clarify that I spoke with the [Tigres] board and asked them to respect this matter, which for me is a point of belief, from personal development and something that comes from my childhood and my origin. I appreciate the support and respect for my decision on this issue, which is 100% personal. Thank you very much.”
Last month the French striker didn’t travel with Tigres UANL to the United States to play a friendly in San Antonio, Texas and didn’t attend the Liga MX’s Balón de Oro awards in Los Angeles, California. The Mexican league also released a statement saying that the reason why Gignac has decided to not participate in the game against the best players from MLS.
Liga MX All-Star roster
Goalkeepers: Camilo Vargas (Atlas), Oscar Ustari (Pachuca)
Defenders: Kevin Ávarez (Pachuca), Diego Barbosa (Atlas), Luis Reyes (Atlas), Brayan Angulo (Toluca), Hugo Nervo (Atlas), Lisandro López (Club Tijuana), Matheus Doria (Santos Laguna), Jesús Angulo (Tigres).
Midfielders: Aldo Rocha (Atlas), Luis Chavez (Pachuca), Erik Lira (Cruz Azul), Fernando Beltrán (Chivas) and Álvaro Fidalgo (Club America).
Forwards: Julian Quinones (Atlas), Angel Mena (Leon), Aviles Hurtado (Pachuca), Alexis Vega (Chivas), Julio Furch (Atlas), Juan Dinenno (Pumas), German Berterame (Monterrey), Uriel Antuna (Cruz Azul), Jordan Carrillo (Santos Laguna) and Heriberto Jurado (Necaxa)