ARSENAL WOMEN’S players are reportedly “furious” after three squad members travelled to Dubai recently, and one of whom subsequently tested positive for Covid-19.
In a story first reported by The Daily Telegraph, Ireland international Katie McCabe is understood to be one of the trio who travelled to the Middle East, having shared images of a Dubai beach on Instagram, though she is not the individual who contracted coronavirus and did not travel with the other players.
According to the BBC, the trip was unsanctioned, with Arsenal unaware that the players had travelled and team-mates disappointed with their decision.
The players in question, two of whom have not been identified, have been reminded of their responsibilities, though no action has been taking against them, after an internal investigation concluded that the trip was made for “business” reasons.
The trip took place while London was under tier four lockdown restrictions, which dictated that travel was only permitted for business reasons.
A number of Arsenal’s players are now understood to be self-isolating under Covid-19 protocols, while the club have requested that the weekend’s game against Aston Villa be postponed, though Gunners legend Ian Wright was among those to question whether such a reprieve should be granted.
Man City recently endured similar problems, with four of their players testing positive following a trip to Dubai.
So we asking for a postponement because we broke the rules??!!😕 Players have every right to be upset but why should Villa be punished? Play the game. https://t.co/EWVfdTsl2o
— Ian Wright (@IanWright0) January 6, 2021
How to Overcomplicate an already complicated sport! If it was up to me, no one would be sent off, the offending party would get put on report, sanctioned in the post match review and banned for the appropriate offence (no good behaviour bull). Meanwhile, I’d just let the players on the pitch sort it out amicably amongst themselves….
@Mick O’Shea: Hopefully no one will realise that you are promoting the NRL approach (if I have understood you correctly). Ireland may no longer be a Catholic country, but there are a good few on here who think it heretical to believe we can learn anything from Rugby League.
@Kevin Ryan: we spent years learning defensive systems from RL.
Our national coach is also a league man.
@Mick O’Shea: good to see player welfare is top of your agenda there Mick and letting the players sort it out amicably when one of them has possibly a brain injury. Top notch safety there.
@Paul Power: How do you even get out of bed in the morning? Does your mother still dress you? Poor thing.
@Mick O’Shea: ha ha ha poor comeback more like. I see you got lots of thumbs up for it