Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Leonardo on Sunday blasted the growing controversy over the six coronavirus cases among the club’s playing staff following post-season holidays in Ibiza.
“All footballers went to Ibiza,” the Brazilian told French broadcaster Canal+.
“Every team has positive cases but it’s a scandal when it happens to Paris…. these are players who were with their wives and children.
“If we have to hit the players because they have behaved in a dangerous way, OK … But all footballers went to Ibiza, even the Bayern.”
On Thursday PSG announced that three more players had tested positive for Covid-19 after Neymar, Angel Di Maria and Leandro Paredes had earlier, all following a recent holiday on the Spanish Mediterranean island of Ibiza.
French sports daily L’Equipe reported that Brazilian defender Marquinhos, Argentine striker Mauro Icardi and goalkeeper Keylor Navas – who were also in Ibiza – were the new positive cases.
Another PSG player, midfielder Ander Herrera, is also known to have been in Ibiza.
Leonardo added that although the six will not be at PSG’s Ligue 1 return at Lens on Thursday he thought that some of the players who had tested positive could be back on Sunday to face fierce rivals Marseille.
(AFP)