WHAT A FOOL!
Bolingoli is hauled over the coals for breaking Covid-19 rules before Killie
BOLI BOLINGOLI played for Celtic against Kilmarnock on Sunday when he should have been self-isolating at home after returning from an unsanctioned trip to Spain.
The Belgian defender took his place on the bench at Rugby Park after failing to tell Celtic officials he’d recently been to a high risk country — a clear breach of strict Covid-19 quarantine rules.
Anyone arriving back in UK nations from Spain since July 26 has been required to self-isolate for 14 days. Unaware of the player’s movements, Celtic boss Neil Lennon put the defender on as a late substitute in the 1-1 draw — a development that potentially exposed every player and official to infection from the virus.
After belatedly learning of the trip, furious Celtic bosses hauled Bolingoli in for a heated meeting at
Parkhead yesterday. Last night, the defender, who has since tested negative for the virus, said: ‘I have made a huge mistake. I want to apologise to my manager, my team-mates, the supporters, everyone at Celtic and so many others for letting them down so badly.
‘I am guilty of a major error of judgment. I know what I did was wrong and I know that I must now deal with the consequences.’
The club has now launched an internal probe. A spokesman said: ‘Celtic Football Club has taken its response to Covid-19 extremely seriously and we are pleased that, to date, we have recorded no positive tests.
‘Our staff have given so much in this area, working tirelessly to ensure that all players and other club personnel are safe, fully aware of their own responsibilities and familiar with all guidance and protocols.
‘Safety must always be our priority. Clearly, a full investigation will now take place and the club will take all appropriate action.
‘Subsequent to the player’s return, he has recorded two negative tests in the past week.’
Bolingoli joined the Hoops from Rapid Vienna for £3million in July 2019. He made 28 outings for the club last season. His extraordinary behaviour comes after two Aberdeen players became infected with Covid-19 after eight of them visited a city restaurant after the opening day defeat to Rangers.
The players are all now selfisolating and will be absent from tomorrow’s game with Hamilton — should it get the go-ahead.
Last week, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: ‘They blatantly broke the rules that had been agreed between the SFA, the SPFL, and the Scottish Government, which, to put it mildly, is completely unacceptable.
‘Football has been given the go-ahead on the strict condition that clubs and players abide by the guidance that has been agreed.’
Aberdeen’s match with St Johnstone on Saturday was postponed.
Lockdown measures have already been reintroduced in Aberdeen as the number of cases in the area grew.
Bolingoli’s gaffe comes in the wake of Celtic warning Leigh Griffiths about his conduct after pictures of a party at his house appeared to show more than the eight people currently permitted to attend under social distancing guidelines.
Lennon later said: ‘I’m not convinced it’s a big issue.’