Matthijs De Ligt says he’s chosen not to have coronavirus vaccine

"The risk of infection is always there"

Juventus defender Matthijs De Ligt has revealed he has decided not to have a coronavirus vaccine, explaining that he believes people should be in charge of their bodies. The 21-year-old defender, who joined Juve from Ajax two years ago, missed two games for his club after testing positive for the virus at the start of the year. Speaking ahead of Euro 2020, where he will play for the Netherlands, he explained his reasons for opting against having the jab.

"I have not taken a vaccination, it is not mandatory," De Ligt told ESPN.nl.

"I think you should be in charge of your own body. The risk of infection is always there.

"I try to come into contact with as few people as possible outside the Dutch national team."

De Ligt has joined up with his Dutch teammates ahead of the tournament next month and is believed to be one approximately six within the camp who have chosen not to have a vaccine. Speaking in the week, his manager, Frank de Boer, said that he respected the decision of those who would not be having the vaccination.

"We have always said at KNVB [the Dutch FA] that the people who need the vaccine the most, should get it first," De Boer said at a press conference.

'That happened and now we think it could be a choice to vaccinate ourselves. In recent days, this was possible on a voluntary basis.

"I think about six players didn't do it. That's not a problem either, because you have to know for yourself if you have a shot.

"I said I would, but in the end it's the person's choice and we have to respect that."

Netherlands begin their tournament on June 13, playing Ukraine on home soil at the Amsterdam Arena. News of De Ligt's decision comes days after Exeter Chiefs and England centre Henry Slade confirmed that he would not be getting a Covid-19 vaccine. "From my own personal experience," he stated, via the Exeter Chiefs website, on Friday. "I have encountered issues in the past with the use of vaccines and I am continually wary around this area. That said, I have no hidden agenda against the current, nationwide roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccination programme."

---