Real Madrid striker Luka Jovic is facing serious consequences for allegedly breaking quarantine rules, with Serbian prosecutors pushing for a six-month prison sentence.
Jovic was one of the only players allowed to leave Madrid when the lockdown was announced back in March. Madrid officials granted the striker compassionate leave because of his young child, who was born in February. However, the Serbian press soon reported that he had been spotted partying with other high-profile footballers on the streets of Belgrade – just at the start of a nationwide state of emergency.
Jovic has since been vilified over the charges, and Marca reports that Serbian prosecutors will meet with a judge on Friday, and will push for a six-month prison sentence. If he is found guilty, Jovic will also face a hefty fine of €30,000.
? Last minute Luka Jovic faces six months in prison for breaching imprisonment in a state of danger.
??⚖️ Serbian prosecutors requested six months in prison because “he did not comply with health protocols after returning from Spain” pic.twitter.com/Ev6XiCs6sI
Great match by COPE (@partidazocope) October 22, 2020
Prime Minister Anna Burnaby said at the time, as Mundo: “We have negative examples of our football stars receiving millions of rupees and having to self-isolate when they return home.
“Instead of isolating himself, the striker had fun all over Belgrade. Luka did something very stupid.”
Jovic has since apologised, though accuses Madrid officials of failing to properly brief him on how to behave during isolation.
“In Madrid, my CoVID-19 test came back negative,” he said in a since-deleted Instagram post. “That’s why I decided to travel to Serbia, to help and support my people; besides being close to my family. I did it with the permission of my club.
“When I arrived in Serbia, they did the test and it came back negative. I’m very sorry that some people didn’t do their job professionally and didn’t give me any specific instructions on how to take care of myself during my isolation. should behave”.
The forward, who moved to Madrid for a reported €60 million in 2019, has scored just twice in 31 appearances to date.