Australian national coach Graham Arnold has been fined by the football association of that country for violating the corona rules. The former football player of NAC Breda and Roda JC, among others, tested positive for Covid-19 last week, but was seen on the beach on Sunday, according to radio station 2GB, while he was walking with his dog.
Australia will meet Japan in an important World Cup qualifier on Thursday, five days later an away game against Saudi Arabia will follow. Two wins are almost certainly needed to secure direct qualifying for the World Cup in Qatar. For the time being, the preparation is in the hands of his assistant trainer René Meulensteen.
According to a radio station presenter, Arnold was also not wearing a face mask. The rules in the state of New South Wales prescribe a quarantine of at least seven days after a positive test. Only in emergencies, such as for medical assistance, is an infected person in and around Sydney allowed to leave their home.
The Australian Football Association FA fined the 58-year-old coach of 25,000 Australian dollars, just under 17,000 euros. That money will be donated to the Red Cross and will benefit the victims of the floods in Australia.
“We have imposed a significant fine, underlining how important it is to us that our employees adhere to government protocols,” said FA chief James Johnson. Arnold showed remorse. ,,I offer my sincere apologies for my misjudgment of Sunday,” said the national coach.
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