JUVENTUS star Weston McKennie was sent home from international duty after breaking strict Covid-19 rules.
The midfielder, 23, reportedly brought an ‘unauthorised individual’ back to the team’s hotel room – breaching their bio-secure bubble.
McKennie was dismissed by US boss Gregg Berhalter after allegedly spending a night outside of the team’s bubble in Nashville, Tennessee.
He is also thought to have brought someone back to his hotel room, compromising the team’s bio-secure bubble.
Both of these acts are against the strict Covid-19 protocols all national teams have been forced to endure during the recent international break.
McKennie was left out of Berhalter’s squad for the team’s 1-1 draw with Canada in their World Cup qualifier on Sunday.
The US coach said it was due to a ‘violation of team policy’ and not injury after the player trained on Saturday.
The news comes after five Holland U19 internationals, including PSG talent Xavi Simons, breached similar rules in Europe.
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McKennie apologised for his behaviour via an Instagram story shortly after the news of his suspension broke.
He wrote: “Unfortunately, I am suspended for tonight’s match due to a violation of team COVID-19 protocols.
“I am sorry for my actions. I will be cheering hard for the boys tonight and hope to be back with the team soon.”
McKennie has been criticised for his behaviour in recent months, breaking Italy’s Covid-19 rules in April by throwing a party.
It is almost beyond repair, and he has a lot of work to do with his team-mates.
Landon Donovan
And ex-US captain Landon Donovan claims the midfielder has a ‘lot of work to do’ to repair his relationship with his international team-mates.
Donovan said: “It is almost beyond repair, and he has a lot of work to do with his team-mates to make sure that he never does something like that again because you lose trust in your team-mates.
“I am I am privy to what happened, I’m not going to announce that publicly.
“I will just say, I am incredibly disappointed in Weston, incredibly disappointed… The level of selfishness is beyond me.
“He is old enough to know you don’t put yourself in this situation. Would they win the game if he is on the field? I don’t know but their chances would go up a lot.
“It doesn’t mean he is a horrible human being and he can learn from this but this can never, ever, ever happen again.”
Aston Villa are reportedly interested in signing McKennie during the next transfer window.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
