Baridhara’s Lima defies quarantine

Uttar Baridhara Club's footballer Leonardo Lima played the in Bangladesh Premier League match against Mohammedan on March 14 after returning from Thailand the previous day, violating self-quarantine related directives.

Having arrived in Bangladesh on March 13, The Brazilian made a 30-minute cameo for Uttar Baridhara in their 4-1 defeat at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.

Bangladesh's cabinet on Monday issued a set of directives, including sending returnees from abroad to a 14-day compulsory quarantine as part of precautionary measures against the coronavirus. On March 10, the Institute of Epidemiology, Diseases Control and Research had urged returnees to self-quarantine for two weeks.

After yesterday's meeting of the Professional Football League Committee at the BFF House, Uttar Baridhara club secretary Jahangir Alam told reporters that they had kept Lima in a separate room to observe him and avoid risk.

However, coach Alfaz Ahmed informed that the Brazilian trained with the team till Monday.

"The team management took the decision to play him in the match [against Mohammedan]. I don't know about his self-quarantine but he told me that he was all right as he passed immigration without any hassle. I think he is safe," Alfaz said.