Wearing a £650 hoodie and carrying a £2000 suitcase, Bolingoli flies to Spain for one night ..putting future of Scottish football in jeopardy
THIS is Celtic star Boli Bolingoli touching down in Malaga in a move that has plunged Scottish football into crisis.
Wearing a £650 Balenciaga hoodie and £2000 Vuitton case, Bolingoli was snapped as he started a short break in Spain – then failed to quarantine on his return.
This photo was captured by a Celtic fan who was stunned to see him appear on the pitch against Kilmarnock on Sunday despite flying out for a Spanish holiday on Monday, August 3.
Bolingoli should have quarantined for 14 days when he returned to Scotland – but instead failed to tell club bosses about his trip away and played on regardless. Celtic have condemned his “stupid” behaviour but now face an anxious wait to discover the fate of their Champions League first round qualifier against KR Reykjavik on August 19.
The Hoops fan who saw Bolingoli on the plane was
himself forced to self-isolate and was unable to return to work for a fortnight after being caught up in the quarantine rule changes after a spike in coronavirus in Spain.
He told the Record: “Considering he was doing something so bloody stupid and intending to keep it to himself, he wasn’t exactly flying under the radar.
“As soon as I got on the plane, I recognised Bolingoli and I actually assumed he’d be heading over to speak to a Spanish club about a transfer.”
The supporter said he – and other Celtic fans – are furious with the star.
He said: “Who does he think he is? When I flew out I knew I was taking a chance and that I would face a period of selfisolation when I got back.
“That’s fine by me. I prepared for it and I’ve had to make a few sacrifices because of it. I got tested for the virus and I’m fine and my conscience is clear because I’m doing what I have to do.
“But look at Bolingoli. He did the opposite. He told nobody he was going and never owned up when he got back.
“As far as I’m concerned he should be sacked and given the boot by the club. If this develops and has the knock-on effect of Celtic having to forfeit the Champions League qualifier, it will be a disaster for the club.”
The Scottish champions have been forced to write to every SPFL club and relevant authorities to apologise.
Bolingoli, 25, flew from Prestwick to Malaga on August 3 for one night before returning to Scotland on August 4.
Strict Government guidelines state he should have quarantined for 14 days.
Minister for Sport Joe FitzPatrick said: “A lot of work has gone on behind the scenes during these past months to create the protocols and testing regimes that have allowed top level professional football in Scotland to resume, without putting the public or others at unnecessary risk.
“It is up to the football authorities, clubs and individuals within those clubs to take responsibility to ensure that these protocols are followed rigorously.
“Unfortunately, over the past few weeks, we have seen multiple examples where that hasn’t happened.”