Dundee United bosses have arranged a coronavirus test for the taxi driver at the centre of a face mask dispute with one of the club’s star players.
It is understood the driver took the test at the club’s St Andrews training ground following a complaint about Mark Connolly’s “aggressive” behaviour in the back of his cab.
The man, who has not been named, said he clashed with the centre back after he refused to cover his face when he picked him up, along with another man connected to United in the early hours of Monday morning.
He lodged an official complaint with the club, saying Connolly, 28, “appeared unwell” and was “shivering, snorting, coughing and sniffling” when the pair were collected from outside the Balcony bar at 2.40am.
In it, he said he asked the football star to put on a face covering, as per coronavirus guidance for public transport, and this led to Connolly becoming aggressive.
It is understood the driver has been isolating since the altercation and had his car fully sanitised due to fear of infection.
On Wednesday he was given a coronavirus test at United’s University Park training ground and is awaiting results.
Dundee United refused to comment yesterday, calling it an “internal matter”.
There has been criticism of the incident since it was revealed by The Courier on Tuesday and an investigation by United sporting director Tony Asghar continues.
Speaking today, the taxi driver praised the club for its response.
He said: “I have to give the club credit where it is due.
“They have stepped up to the plate and arranged a test and I can’t fault them for that.
“After an initial slow response, Tony Asghar has taken this matter seriously and got the issue dealt with.”
In his opinion column for The Courier, Arbroath FC coach Rab Douglas said refusing to wear a mask in a taxi was “absolute madness”.
“The last thing Scottish football needed was another story of a potential Covid-19 protocol breach,” he said.
“There are two sides to every story and all the facts have to come out.
“But if the Dundee taxi driver is right with his claims that Connolly refused to wear a mask in the early hours of Monday morning then the only way I can describe it is absolute madness.
“With everything that’s going on just now, you have to show common sense.
“The fact that this is an international week has probably helped Connolly and the game as a whole – and let’s hope United’s investigation helps even more and shows that his behaviour was better than it’s been made out to be.”
