AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER
PAULO Dybala has apologised for breaking COVID-19 lockdown laws while out partying.
The Juventus forward acknowledged his error after being fined by police for attending a party with teammates Weston McKennie and Arthur Melo.
The three were caught after police were called by neighbours who reported a social gathering taking place at US midfielder’s McKennie’s home in Turin. Dybala apologised on Instagram for disappointing his team and his Juventus fans for breaking the covid-19 lockdown.
Italy’s government imposed another lockdown as a measure to prevent high cases from super spreader gatherings during the popular Easter season, where the country would partake in religious activities across the nation.
Paulo Dybala’s apology on his stories. Picture: Instagram
“I know that in such a difficult time for the world with COVID it would have been better not to make a mistake, but I was wrong to stay out for dinner,” the Argentine wrote.
“It wasn’t a party, but I made a mistake anyway and I apologise.”
Dybala, Melo and McKennie all missed their international call-ups due to having injuries, but a Juventus source reported that all three players were facing sanctions at the club, and were ultimately suspended from playing in the Turin derby.
The possible sanctions for the three players could potentially hamper an already threatened Juventus who have been dealing with injuries and new positive covid-19 cases within their camp after their Italian players returned from their international games.
Both centre-back Leonardo Bonucci and Turkish defender Merih Demiral tested positive after returning from international duty, with Demiral reportedly already isolated in Juventus’ J-Hotel.
“Bonucci underwent a test for Covid-19 which came back positive,” Juventus said in a statement.
“The player has already been placed in home isolation.” Both players will miss the critical Turin derby against Torino.
Like Bonucci, a number of Italian players returned with positive cases after their World Cup qualifier matches against Bulgaria and Lithuania.
Other Italian internationals tested negative on their return home including Napoli’s Lorenzo Insigne, Alex Meret and Giovanni Di Lorenzo all been given the all-clear to play. AC Milan’s Gianluigi Donnarumma also tested negative upon his return to Milan.
