Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie has been sent home from the USA squad after violating the COVID-19 protocol and former star Landon Donovan revealed ‘it’s almost beyond repair’.
The Bianconeri midfielder was suspended ahead of the 1-1 draw with Canada in the World Cup Qualifiers for breaking the team policy related to the coronavirus protocol.
Rumours claimed McKennie had been punished after leaving the team bus without a mask, as videos emerged of the Bianconeri player breaking the coronavirus protocol, stopping to greet fans and sign autographs.
Insomma Weston è stato punito per esser sceso dall’autobus ed aver firmato degli autografi senza mascherina, cosa non concessa dal regolamento di squadra. pic.twitter.com/UEnC8Q5cDw
— Nick (@nickkwolff) September 6, 2021
USA announced on Monday that McKennie will be excluded from the game against Honduras but has not confirmed how McKennie broke the rules.
News regarding updates to the USMNT roster ahead of Wednesday’s World Cup Qualifier in Honduras.
— U.S. Soccer MNT (@USMNT) September 6, 2021
But there could be something else behind, as former USA star Donovan revealed he knows the reason but didn’t want to say publicly what happened.
“I’m privy to what happened, I’m not going to announce that publicly,” Donovan said on the Futbol with Grant Wahl podcast.
“I will just say that I’m incredibly disappointed in Weston, incredibly disappointed. Look, I can understand being at Juventus during a long season, you’re sitting at home for months and months and months and you want to have people over. Is it the smartest thing to do? No, but I get it,” Donovan said.
“This is one week of your life with three massive games, not only for yourself but for your teammates and for your country to go to a World Cup and the level of selfishness in that moment is beyond me. Honestly, it’s beyond me.
“It’s almost beyond repair and he has a lot of work to do with his teammates to make sure that he never does something like that again because you lose trust in your teammates. These guys want to go to a World Cup.”
NEW POD: @landondonovan & @ChrisWittyngham break down the USMNT’s disappointing 1-1 tie against Canada with me. Landon had a lot to say, including on Weston McKennie letting down his US teammates.
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Apple https://t.co/A1kX0uYUEg
Spotify https://t.co/VCDYuGPWy7 pic.twitter.com/LKDpFgXUJ0— Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl) September 6, 2021
People going on about him getting off a team bus, maskless, to greet fans is the reason for his punishment.
Obviously what Landon Donovan said is quite clear what he did.
McKennie is a true American hero