By 
Qatar’s
Football Association fined former Barcelona star Xavi Hernandez and several
other top-flight players and staff $2,700 each for breaching coronavirus rules.
Football Association fined former Barcelona star Xavi Hernandez and several
other top-flight players and staff $2,700 each for breaching coronavirus rules.
It was recalled that Xavi
Hernandez revealed last month that he had contracted the virus,
subsequently posting on Instagram on July 29 that he had recovered and returned
to work.
Hernandez revealed last month that he had contracted the virus,
subsequently posting on Instagram on July 29 that he had recovered and returned
to work.
The penalty, which included an
official warning from the league, was because of “non-compliance with the
Ministry of Public Health’s safety protocols including breaching a home
quarantine pledge signed by him”, the statement said.
official warning from the league, was because of “non-compliance with the
Ministry of Public Health’s safety protocols including breaching a home
quarantine pledge signed by him”, the statement said.
The Qatar Stars League in which
Al-Sadd competes resumed competition on July 24 with strict social distancing
rules, routine testing of players and staff and a blanket ban on media
attendance.
Al-Sadd competes resumed competition on July 24 with strict social distancing
rules, routine testing of players and staff and a blanket ban on media
attendance.
Matches were halted in March to
stem the spread of COVID-19.
stem the spread of COVID-19.
In common with some European
leagues, players and coaches in the QSL are required to isolate themselves from
outside contact until the end of the season on August 22.
leagues, players and coaches in the QSL are required to isolate themselves from
outside contact until the end of the season on August 22.
“All players and coaches
signed a pledge to commit to home quarantine as it is important to avoid the
spread of the virus across the players since there is frequent contact between
them,” the QSL’s director of competitions Ahmed Abbassi told AFP.
signed a pledge to commit to home quarantine as it is important to avoid the
spread of the virus across the players since there is frequent contact between
them,” the QSL’s director of competitions Ahmed Abbassi told AFP.
Al-Sadd players Hammam al-Amin
and Abdul Karim Hassan also received fines of 10,000 riyals ($2,700) and
warnings from the QFA’s disciplinary committee, as did players and staff from
several other Qatari teams.
and Abdul Karim Hassan also received fines of 10,000 riyals ($2,700) and
warnings from the QFA’s disciplinary committee, as did players and staff from
several other Qatari teams.
More than 4 percent of Qatar’s
2.75 million people have had coronavirus, with 112,092 cases reported since the
start of the pandemic giving the tiny Gulf state one of the highest per capita
total infection rates.
2.75 million people have had coronavirus, with 112,092 cases reported since the
start of the pandemic giving the tiny Gulf state one of the highest per capita
total infection rates.
However the gas-rich country
has posted just 178 deaths meaning it has one of the world’s lowest virus death
rates and 108,831 people have recovered from COVID-19, according to official
statistics.
has posted just 178 deaths meaning it has one of the world’s lowest virus death
rates and 108,831 people have recovered from COVID-19, according to official
statistics.
Xavi Hernandez is the head
coach of Qatari side Al-Sadd,
coach of Qatari side Al-Sadd,
