Player sentenced to three months of home detention for violating his nation's coronavirus curfew

Serbia striker Aleksandar Prijovic sentenced for flouting curfew

Serbia striker Aleksandar Prijovic has been sentenced to three months of home detention for violating a curfew imposed to curb the spread of coronavirus.

The 29-year-old striker, who plays his club football for Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad,  pleaded guilty at a video link trial in Belgrade on Saturday.

 Police had arrested Prijovic and 19 others for gathering at a hotel lobby bar in Belgrade on Friday and violating the country’s 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. lockdown orders.

He is the second Serbian footall player to be caught violating the stay-at-home orders after Real Madrid striker Luka Jovic was caught dodging quarantine.

 Those who violate the restrictive measures could face up to three years in jail.

Serbia has so far registered 1,476 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and 39 deaths.

The Serbian government has imposed a daily curfew during weekdays and a more stringent weekend in a bid to limit the outbreak.

The government has also told residents to avoid picnics, leisure activities and all forms of public gatherings in order to curb the spread of the virus.