U.S. soccer player Landon Donovan’s H1N1 status draws criticism in Mexico

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News that U.S soccer team member Landon Donovan tested positive for the H1N1 flu virus one day after playing a World Cup qualifier for the United States against Mexico in Mexico City did not go down well here.

Specialists said there was no risk of contamination in Mexico, and all members of the national team were checked and tested negative following news of Donovan’s health status. Still, there were criticisms of his participation in the game when he had the virus.

Earlier this year, Mexico City had a near-complete shutdown following an outbreak of the deadly flu, and the economy and tourism industry were badly hit.

Defender Johnny Magallón was quoted in El Universal newspaper as saying of Donovan: ‘If he felt bad, he could have reported it.’

Quoted in Milenio, team captain Gerardo Torrado said that it was ‘irresponsible’ of Donovan to play when he had the virus.

He added: ‘What would be worrying would be someone who knew he was exposing so many people, including his own team.’

Donovan has defended himself to critics, saying that although he was tested for the virus before coming to Mexico to play the big match last Wednesday, he didn’t know the results of the test until Thursday, after the match.

-- Deborah Bonello in Mexico City