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Eni Aluko reprimanded by Barbados court for breaking quarantine rules

Eniola Aluko — Eni Aluko reprimanded by Barbados court for breaking quarantine rules - GETTY IMAGES
Eniola Aluko — Eni Aluko reprimanded by Barbados court for breaking quarantine rules - GETTY IMAGES

Eniola Aluko, the former England and Chelsea forward, has described the quarantine breach that led to her attending a local magistrates’ court in Barbados as a "misunderstanding".

The 33-year-old was supposed to stay in a quarantine hotel on holiday while she awaited the results of a coronavirus test, but the hotel had allowed her to leave after a delay in results, she said on Monday.

Videos of Aston Villa Women’s sporting director exploring the country then circulated on social media and this led to her being tracked down by Barbadian officials and charged with disobeying the order of the Chief Medical Officer on Friday. To date, Barbados has recorded 138 Covid-19 cases and of those so far there have 108 recoveries and seven deaths.

Aluko, whose coronavirus test returned negative, was photographed in tears outside the courtroom in the Caribbean. She was not issued with a fine by the magistrate, but offered to pay one “for my honest mistake”, she said. Aluko, who retired from playing in January, said the protocol breach has since "been fully resolved”, and that she had always tested negative when checked twice a week for the last four months at Villa.

She tweeted: “Addressing any news reports this morning while I remain on holiday in Barbados. A misunderstanding that has now been fully resolved. I followed all the rules coming into Barbados and arrived with a negative Covid test result and did another test on arrival.

“I understood that I would have to stay at the quarantine hotel for a maximum of 8-12 hours and would be informed of my result via my contact details after I waited 16 hours. The quarantine hotel were aware and did not prevent me from leaving wearing a protective mask.

“It was my misunderstanding and honest mistake which the Barbados authorities quite clearly understand, to the extent they refused to let me pay a fine which I offered for my honest mistake.

“I have tested twice a week for 4 weeks, all my results negative. Which means for over six months and in between my tests I am as respectful and careful of Covid-19 protocols as anyone. I will take serious issue with any suggestion otherwise despite my apologies for this error.”

Prior to arriving in Barbados, Aluko oversaw the arrival of eight new signings for Villa following the club's promotion to the Women's Super League under head coach Gemma Davies. Villa start their league campaign at home to Manchester City on Sept 9.