Some Tottenham fans on social media have been left fuming by the news that Matt Doherty has tested positive for COVID-19 while on international duty with the Republic of Ireland.
Doherty is one of several Tottenham stars currently away on international duty and is not the first high-profile star to contract the virus during the international break, with Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah testing positive a few days ago.
There were fears that Son Heung-min could contract the virus after six of his South Korean team-mates tested positive for the virus over the weekend.
However, Doherty turned out to be the unfortunate victim with the Football Association of Ireland confirming that the Tottenham man, as well as Stoke City winger James McClean, have tested positive.
While some Spurs fans were questioning the wisdom of holding an international break under the current circumstances, others were concerned that Doherty and McClean had played against Gareth Bale, Ben Davies and Joe Rodon in Ireland’s Nations League encounter against Wales yesterday afternoon.
Remind me why meaningless international game are necessary during a international pandemic? pic.twitter.com/zcy37Bsh8U
— ELB (@el_peartree) November 16, 2020
Doherty has tested positive after a game against Bale, Davies, and Rodon. Can’t see that getting worse… https://t.co/VVyTVcf15E
— football (@JonNeal) November 16, 2020
If Son gets Covid, I'm gonna be fuming
— NyanaKaThixoLo? (@ThixoKa) November 16, 2020
STOP PLAYING INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLIES https://t.co/NsLlyQjEoY
— human fund (@fund_human) November 16, 2020
i can’t believe international break went on https://t.co/VFjG2uN4ti
— Your Favourite Yid (@ftbl_tilly) November 16, 2020
Hope for a speedy recovery? but how many more players are gonna test positive for COVID-19 before they realise that mixing different players playing in different countries for their clubs is just pure stupid https://t.co/xE6ybzRsOk
— Charlie (@thfcXcharlie) November 16, 2020
so doherty is positive covid-19 pic.twitter.com/E1N1naneaI
— n a t (@natthfc_) November 16, 2020
Matt Doherty has Corona ffs now we’ll have to play Aurier
— Fin (@finlay_mc11) November 16, 2020
Stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid. International football has to be up there as one of the most idiotic things to happen during this whole thing https://t.co/KdZSqBXhAL
— Glenn Garrett (@glenngarrett46) November 16, 2020
Bale and Doherty were ontop of eachother at the end of the game yesterday. Hopefully bale hasn't got it aswell ? pic.twitter.com/ZBxQCbiRG9
— Liam O'?? (got bagged) (@TanguyNdembeIe) November 16, 2020
Do people realise he just played Bale, Davies and Rodon last night? Who would have thought internationals was a bad idea ?♂️?
— OR (@OliMaxRo) November 16, 2020