Nolberto Solano: Former Newcastle United footballer apologises after being arrested for breaking coronavirus lockdown

Ex-Premier League footballer claimed he left his home before the quarantine cut-off time kicked in after being detained in a raid on a house party in Peru

Former Newcastle United footballer Nolberto Solano has issued an apology after he was arrested in Peru for breaking coronavirus quarantine rules to attend a house party.

Video footage revealed Peruvian Police raiding a property on Thursday night where 45-year-old Solano was one of many detained for breaching lockdown regulations, which have been implemented in many countries across the globe in an effort to contain the spread of Covid-19.

Peru implemented their own lockdown on 8pm on Thursday night, and former international Solano claimed that he left his residence for a lunch earlier in the day that preceded the cut-off time.

“I obviously regret this very much and I ask for forgiveness,” Solano told radio station RPP Noticias.

“I am not going to justify it. It’s very tough for everyone but the most important thing is our health, without that we can’t do anything.”

Solano, who is the current assistant coach of the Peruvian national team, was taken to a police station in the capital city Lima, having been the subject of a complaint by a neighbour who identified him and realised he was breaking the lockdown regulations.

He was registered for the breach but no further action was taken and he was soon released, local media reports said.

Peruvian president Martin Vizcarra said on Friday that police detained 2,568 people for breaking the quarantine limits on Wednesday, bringing the total to more than 18,000.

Peru, a South American nation of 32 million, has reported 580 confirmed cases and nine deaths so far from Covid-19.