Planeload of Argentines flown in to get polo restarted

POLO, played by the super-rich and royalty, is on collision course with the Government over its attempts to classify itself as an elite sport and restart its competitive season even before the resumption of football’s Premier League.

There is such determination among the polo fraternity – bankrolled by multi-millionaire team patrons – that the sport has agreed to the arrival in London of 122 Argentines, including leading players and grooms, by charter flight this morning to compete in summer tournaments.

The flight from Buenos Aires was arranged between the Argentina Polo Association and the Argentine embassy in London to beat the Government’s 14day quarantine rules which come into force on Monday. The players have agreed to participate in the Gold Cup and the Queen’s Cup.

David Woodd, the chief executive of the British governing body, the Hurlingham Polo Association, said: “We are going from the government guidance. After all, polo is a small sport. We hope this will be OK and that people can go on to play and start to get back their income. We are not breaking any laws.”

There has been no contact between the HPA and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, which is responsible for the phased return of outdoor sport, and it is understood the department will be contacting the governing body as a matter of urgency. Those outside of elite participants who participate in contact sport would be in breach of public health guidance.

DCMS said the regulations were “absolutely clear”. A spokesman said: “All governing bodies must review and follow the guidance, consider whether they can meet its conditions and take full responsibility for participants’ health and safety. If not, they may face enforcement powers.”

The first tournament is likely to be played this Friday at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club.