Brazil striker Giovana Queiroz has accused Barcelona of forcing her to isolate against her will.
Queiroz, who said she felt abused and harassed by the incident, has spent this season on loan at Levante. She alleges that the club forced her to isolate in February last year after allegedly coming into contact with someone who had tested positive for Covid-19.
The 18-year-old also claims that this happened as a result of her choosing to represent Brazil. She had previously represented Spain and the United States at U17 level.
The forward detailed the claims, which have been strongly denied by the club, in an open letter to the club’s president Joan Laporta.
In her statement, Queiroz said: ‘In February 2021, I was illegally confined by the club. The head of club medical services claimed that I had been a close contact of a COVID case. From the beginning I sensed that the real reasons for confinement was others.
‘As the doctor's order was against protocol, I contacted the Catalan Health Department. The answer was forceful, my case was not and could not be considered close contact under Catalan health protocol. When questioned, she replied: “Your case is different. I was authorised to make a special confinement for you.” I, indignant, still asked: “How special?” She avoided the subject and never answered me! (the tests are part of the complaint).
‘In the end, they locked me up illegally and I couldn’t leave home. I was devastated. This also meant that I couldn’t travel with the squad for the Copa de La Reina final.’
Barcelona deny that Queiroz was forced to isolate. Sources told Sportsmail that Queiroz travelled to Brazil to play for the national team despite being a close contact of a positive Covid case. At that time, the Spanish government ruled that close contacts were not allowed to travel abroad.
Upon her return, the club decided that Queiroz would play the rest of the 2020-2021 season with the B team. Queiroz had played a number of games for the first team but, officially, her licence was with the reserves. Queiroz then opened a complaints procedure within the club but officials deemed there was no case to answer. The player also reported the situation to FIFA.
Queiroz’s open letter comes the day before the club’s Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid at the Nou Camp.
A record crowd is expected for their first game at the men’s stadium in front of fans. Barca hold a 3-1 lead from the first leg. They have already been crowned champions of the Spanish league and have won all of their 25 games.
