Deprived of this prestigious match. André-Pierre Gignac has given up playing the All Star Game 2022, a match between the best players in the North American League, MLS, and a selection from the Mexican Championship, due to his refusal to be vaccinated against Covid. -19, local media reported on Wednesday.
“Gignac is not vaccinated against Covid-19 and prefers to avoid any problem if he goes to the United States”, published the Mexican daily Cancha on Wednesday, the day after the publication of the 25 players called up by Liga MX to play the All-Star Game in Minneapolis (USA).
After the publication of the Mexican daily, the Monterrey Tigers striker reacted on social networks. “On the matter that arose today (Wednesday), I spoke with the board. I asked them to respect my choice, which is a conviction linked to my education, my family and my origin,” argued the former Olympique de Marseille player on his Instagram account, where he evokes a “100% personal decision. “.
The Mexican league respects his choice
Ballon d’Or in the Mexican championship this year, the former French international (36 caps, 7 goals) was not selected due to “a personal problem”, had indicated the Liga MX. “La Liga respects the reasons why André-Pierre Gignac will not take part in this game,” she tweeted.
Before this situation was revealed, Gignac, 36, had avoided traveling to the United States for the Tigers’ pre-season match against Santos on June 22 in San Antonio (Texas), “for personal reasons”. .
The United States requires a complete vaccination schedule for a foreigner to enter the territory. This same rule could deprive tennis player Novak Djokovic from lining up at the US Open (August 29-September 11) this season. Due to an incomplete vaccination schedule, French midfielder N’Golo Kanté is also not taking part in Chelsea’s current American tour.