Published 11:42 IST, November 11th 2020
Real Madrid star Jovic AVOIDS PRISON term with a £27k fine for violating lockdown rules
Real Madrid striker Luka Jovic will pay a £27,000 fine to doge a six-month prison term for violating lockdown rules in Serbia in March.
Advertisement
Real Madrid striker Luka Jovic has been synonymous with controversy since his move to the Santiago Bernabeu in 2019. The Serbian star, who is yet to establish himself under Zinedine Zidane in his second season with Los Blancos, was recently in the news after he violated lockdown rules in his homeland. Reports suggested that he might be imprisoned for the same, but the 22-year-old has escaped with a fine.
Luka Jovic charges for lockdown violation proved
Following the lockdown induced by the pandemic in March, Real Madrid had urged the players to not leave the city and isolate at their respective homes. Jovic, violating the norms, returned to Serbia, where a similar restriction on out-bound arrivals was placed. More so, he violated the quarantine rules of the country and was seen on the streets along with his girlfriend.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic went to the extent of warning the former Eintracht Frankfurt striker on not repeating the offence, a move which could have landed him behind bars. Although the striker did not repeat the offence, he did refuse to pay the £27,000 fine, following which judicial proceedings were initiated against him.
Luka Jovic prison term avoided with £27,000 fine
According to a report by Cadena COPE, the striker was handed a six-month prison term after the charges of lockdown violations was proved against him. However, an agreement has now been reached that will see Jovic pay the original £27,000 fine to the concerned Serbian authorities and escape the six-month jail sentence.
Real Madrid sit fourth in LaLiga standings amid Luka Jovic fine reports
Jovic has failed to break into the side under Zidane since his move to Bernabeu in 2019. Karim Benzema has continued as the preferred attacker for the side but at the cost of Jovic's game time, with frequent reports hinting at a move away from the Spanish capital.
He has managed a total of five appearances in all competitions this season, amounting to 208 minutes on the field. Jovic is yet to score or assist for Los Blancos and is largely restricted to the bench. Meanwhile, Real Madrid sit fourth in the LaLiga standings, racking up 16 points in eight games.
Image courtesy: Luka Jovic Instagram
11:42 IST, November 11th 2020