The daily news coming from Italy related to Covid-19 is difficult for most to digest. Outside of general compassion and worry for people in the country, others around the world are looking at the situation and wondering if that could be happening locally to them in the not too distant future.
For Brighton & Hove Albion’s Ezequiel Schelotto it’s especially worrying, because he has family in the country. Born in Argentina, the footballer holds an Italian passport and has played for Italy at both youth and senior level.
Speaking to Argentine TV, Schelotto has been asked how his family are coping with the current situation. As quoted by Grupo La Provincia, he explained his concern: “I have a family in Italy that is having a hard time. I only ask them to stay at their homes as requested by the government authorities.”
The 30 year old was also asked about his personal situation, and what Brighton are instructing their players to do right now: “The club sends us a training schedule over the phone and explains everything we have to do to avoid contact. We found out about this last Monday when we arrived and the facilities were closed. They sent us home and everything changed.
“The spirits in the club are well, we have colleagues from all over the world and in several there is a lot of affection. I know how difficult they are having it in Italy, the whole country, and the sport at this time we must leave it aside and think about what they are suffering. We have to pay attention and stay at home. We are in permanent contact with my family.”
There’s no way the Argentine media would speak to a Brighton player without asking about Alexis Mac Allister, and Schelotto was happy to give them the words they’ll have wanted: “I was happy with the arrival of Alexis Mac Allister because he is an Argentine and has a huge future.
“Alexis comes from Boca and there he showed all his level, we are helping him and he adapted very well, beyond the difficulty of the championship.”
