Ex-Chelsea ace Higuain stopped at airport by cops as he tried to flee Italy for Argentina amid coronavirus pandemic

REPORTS in Italy claim Gonzalo Higuain has been stopped from fleeing Italy after trying to escape quarantine during the coronavirus pandemic.

The striker is said to have attempted a getaway to Argentina on a private jet with his family.

Higuain reportedly tried to leave Italy with all flights to Argentina cancelledCredit: EPA

But authorities prevented him from boarding despite him flashing paperwork of his own negative test for the deadly illness.

Higuain, 32, is supposed to have been in a 14-day quarantine after two of his Juventus teammates were diagnosed with coronavirus.

According to La Reppublica, via Football Italia, the player and his family then crossed over into Spain to fly to Argentina anyway.

With all foreigners who are not residents of the South American nation banned from entering until April 1, flights to and from Italy have been cancelled.

In addition, it is not known whether Juve are aware of Higuain’s movements while colleagues Daniele Rugani and Blaise Matuidi are put in isolation after testing positive for coronavirus.

Centre-back Rugani, 25, was revealed to have caught it a week ago, meaning all who were in close contact with him must remain in a 14-day quarantine.

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On Tuesday, it was confirmed that Matuidi, 32, had also contracted coronavirus but did not have any symptoms.

The number of Serie A players to have tested positive is now in double figures and includes Fiorentina’s Patrick Cutrone and German Pezzella.

Over 35,000 cases of coronavirus have now been officially declared across Italy, with almost 3,000 deaths.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk