Higuain controversially broke quarantine in Italy to be with mother fighting cancer, brother of Juventus striker reveals
JUVENTUS striker Gonzalo Higuain controversially broke quarantine rules in Italy to be with his cancer-stricken mother, his brother has revealed.
The former Chelsea forward, 32, fled the coronavirus-hit country - where almost 5,000 people have died - seven days into a recommended two-week quarantine to go back to his native Argentina.
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One report claimed he was stopped by police as he left Turin to travel through France and Spain in order to be at the side of his mother Nancy, although it's unclear if this was true.
Higuain's actions did leave his lawyer Rinaldo Romanelli "at the very least perplexed", and he said the frontman should have observed the quarantine guidelines.
There are conflicting reports on who gave ex-Real Madrid star Higuain permission to leave.
Romanelli claimed to be in the dark about who gave him the OK, whereas other reports in Italy say Juventus allowed Higuain to fly.
But now Higuain's brother Nicola has snapped back at Romanelli and requested privacy while they be with their mother at this difficult time.
Nicola wrote on a Facebook post: "Our mother, like so many other people in the world, is battling a disease called cancer.
"These people clearly don't care about my mother's health, they only care about mentioning the magic word that in this case is 'Higuain', that's how this business works.
"Obviously everyone knows who this message is for and I don't like to generalise.
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"My brother, Gonzalo, travelled with the authorisation of the club and with a certificate that proves he is negative for Covid-19.
"Like any other Argentine citizen in this country, he is carrying out the quarantine measures requested by our president.
"Higuain did not run away, OK? The reason is so that he could be with our mother during this undesirable situation.
"Please do not use the magic word in this delicate family moment.
"It's better to put your efforts into doing more important things right now. Thank you."
Higuain's team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo was given permission to travel to Madeira to be with his mother after she suffered a stroke.
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Dolores Aveiro, 65, has since been released from hospital and is believed to be resting at the seven-storey home where her footballer son is holed up with his family.
Three of Higuain's team-mates have tested positive for coronavirus.
Paulo Dybala posted a message last night saying he and his girlfriend were confirmed cases, along with Blaise Matuidi and Daniele Rugani.