Real Madrid’s Luka Jovic faces six months in jail

Real Madrid told their players to self-isolate following the outbreak of the virus in March but Jovic broke quarantine in order to travel back to celebrate his girlfriend’s birthday.

The striker was heavily criticised in his come country at the time and according to Serbian agency Tanjug, as reported by Marca, he is being prosecuted for breaking the rules and faces up to six months in prison.

Serbian newspapers also criticised the forward, explaining that he had celebrated his girlfriend’s birthday on the streets of the capital city.

Blic wrote: ‘Instead of self-isolating, he enjoyed himself all over Belgrade,’ while Informer said: ‘Luka did something very stupid. He left quarantine in Madrid, with the club and, despite all the warnings, returned to Serbia.’

The Serbian prosecutor’s office claim that Jovic did not comply with the required health protocols upon his arrival in the country.

According to RTS, Jovic had to pay a fine of £27,000 which may help soften the punishment imposed.

Real said at the time the striker had special permission to fly home for medical reasons. All Real staff had been sent home after the club’s basketball player Trey Thompkins tested positive.

Jovic was among a number of Serbs playing abroad who was criticised by the country’s politicians for returning to the country during the height of the pandemic.

The Serbian prime minister Ana Brnabic said: ‘We have the negative example of our football stars who earn millions and have ignored the obligation to self-isolate so they can return home.’

The Serbian government had called for nationals working abroad not to return from countries with a high infection rate. At the time, Spain had the fourth-highest death rate.

Culled from dailymail.co.uk