Socceroos coach Graham Arnold has copped a hefty fine and apologised for an “error of judgment” after breaching COVID-19 self-isolation protocols.
Arnold tested positive to COVID-19 last Thursday and took a walk at Narrabeen Beach in Sydney’s north on Sunday.
Arnold addressed the matter in a Football Australia statement, which revealed the governing body had imposed a $25,000 fine on Arnold to be donated to the Red Cross flood relief fund.
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“I sincerely apologise for my error of judgement on Sunday,” Arnold said in the statement.
“I accept that I should not have left my home as per the New South Wales self-isolation protocols and will remain at my property until my self-isolation window concludes.
“I also accept the sanctions that come because of this error.”
Football Australia chief executive James Johnson said Arnold’s breach was “disappointing”.
“Graham has been diligent throughout COVID-19, however on this occasion he has made an error of judgement,” Johnson said.
“We have sought to act as swiftly as possible on this matter today and have imposed a significant fine, which underscores how importantly we value our representatives abiding by government protocols.”
Arnold will need to return a negative PCR test following his self-isolation period to be able to re-join the Socceroos camp for its World Cup qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia.
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