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Juventus Striker Gonzalo Higuain Attempts to 'Escape' Italy From Coronavirus

By Ali Rampling

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​Juventus striker Gonzalo Higuain has attempted to 'escape' quarantine in Italy amid the coronavirus lockdown and return to Argentina on a private jet, according to a report.

Italy remains the worst affected European country and is currently in lockdown. People have been told to stay indoors, while travel has been severely restricted in order to prevent the spread of the disease.

Serie A has been suspended until 3 April at the very earliest, with Juventus players Blaise Matuidi and Daniele Rugani among those to test positive for the virus.

According to Italian news outlet ​La Repubblica, their teammate Higuain and opted to take matters into his own hands, as he attempted a getaway to his native Argentina via a private jet. 

Authorities prevented him from boarding the plane, despite the striker flashing paperwork to prove that he had tested negative for Covid-19.

Chartered flights between Italy and Argentina are cancelled, with all non-citizens currently banned from entering the South American country in the wake of the epidemic.

This didn't stop Higuain, who opted for a change of tac by instead travelling to Spain with his family to fly to Argentina anyway.

The 37-year-old was supposed to be in quarantine after his teammate Rugani contracted the virus. 

The defender tested positive a week ago, and all those who have been in close contact with an individual with coronavirus is supposed to remain in isolation for 14 days.

Higuain has opted to not take this stance, and it is yet unclear as to whether ​Juventus are aware of their player's movements.

However, according to ​Tuttosport, Higuain's getaway went down a little differently. Their report says the Argentinian asked the club permission to visit his ill mother, Juventus were aware of his intentions and even provided their player with the plane 

According to ​La Gazzetta dello Sport, fellow Juventus player Rodrigo Bentancur was also on the private jet, but his whereabouts have not been further reported.