Cristiano Ronaldo may have violated Italian coronavirus measures by returning to Turin from Portugal after testing positive, Italy's sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora said.
"Yes, I think so, if there were no specific authorisations from the health authority," Spadafora told Radio Uno when asked whether the 35-year-old Portuguese star's return had breached Covid-19 rules.
Ronaldo left the Portuguese team camp near Lisbon on Wednesday to fly back to Northern Italy on his private jet.
"Cristiano Ronaldo returned to Italy with a medical flight authorised by the competent health authorities at the request of the player and will continue his isolation at his home," Juventus, Ronaldo's Italian club, said.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner was "asymptomatic" after testing positive on Monday, the day after Portugal drew 0-0 with France in Paris.
However, the incident renewed controversy over his departure from Turin the previous week, which local health authorities said breached virus protocols after two Juventus staff members tested positive.
"I think that, at the moment, the protocols in force for the sports championships, both for Serie A football and for the sports associations and clubs are valid as long as they are respected," said Spadafora.
"And if there is someone who does not respect them, then the cases that we read in the news are created.
"If they are respected, and if the general situation of the country allows it, I hope that leagues at all levels can continue in the best possible way in the interest of the players, staff, but also all sports fans in Italy."
The entire Juventus team were back in isolation on Wednesday evening after US midfielder Weston McKennie tested positive.
Both McKennie and Ronaldo are in quarantine, for at least 10 days, and must test negative before rejoining their teammates.
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Ronaldo in action against France
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Portugal striker Cristiano Ronaldo will miss their next match, against Sweden, after it was confirmed the Juventus player tested positive for Covid-19. Reuters -
Cristiano Ronaldo during the warm up before the match against France last Sunday. Reuters -
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo. Reuters -
The 35-year-old is said to be "doing well, without symptoms, and in isolation". Reuters -
Former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward Ronaldo had played in both of Portugal's matches so far during the international break. AFP -
Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo, right, jokes with France forward Kylian Mbappe. AFP -
France's Lucas Hernandez in action with Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo. Reuters -
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo. Reuters
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Under Uefa rules a player must provide evidence that he is no longer sick a week before a European match.
Ronaldo who will miss Juventus's Champions League opener against Dynamo Kiev on October 20, must test negative on October 21 to play against Barcelona a week later.
Spadafora rejected a call from the Italian regions to open stadiums to 25 percent capacity from the current maximum of 1,000.
"For now we cannot authorise it," he said.
"At least until next month, we have to see how the contagion curve will go from here until mid-November."
