COVID-19: Getafe Boss Reveals Why He Denied Etebo The Chance To Travel With His Family

The Super Eagles midfielder’s family travelled to Nigeria immediately the coronavirus stopped European Leagues, while he remained in Spain

Getafe manager, Jose Bordalas, has revealed he rejected Etebo’s request to travel back to his family in Nigeria, but he regrets the decision now.

Etebo joined the Dark Blues on loan from Stoke City in January and had played seven games for the team before the Spanish top-flight was suspended due to the coronavirus.

While players were allowed to go home and be with their families, Etebo was not afforded that opportunity by the Getafe boss.

Speaking ahead of La Liga’s return this weekend, Bordalas revealed Etebo asked for permission to unite with his family in Nigeria, but the club denied his request as they did not know the league will go on a long hiatus.

Bordalas admitted it was a wrong decision as Etebo was lonely throughout the three months break because his family was not with him.

“We, however, never thought this was going to hit us so hard,” Bordalas told reporters with quotes via Brila Fm.

“The wife and child of Peter Etebo had gone back to Nigeria, and that left him confined on his own, so we tried to keep regular contact with him. ”

“He told us how sad and how lonely he was feeling, especially because he is a young man who hasn’t mastered the language yet.”

Etebo and Getafe had since returned to training ahead of La Liga’s return this weekend. They sit fifth in La Liga table with 46 points, the same number with Real Sociedad who sit in the final Champions League spot.

Getafe first game after resumption is an away clash against Granada at the Nuevo Estadio de Los Cármenes