Premiership Tiger reveals his mother is fighting COVID-19

Richmond defender Bachar Houli has revealed his mother is fighting COVID-19 and is intensive care.

The dual premiership player shared the news in a concerned message to Victorians.

Houli opted not to join teammates in their Queensland hub as his wife was due to give birth.

Houli shared a message with Victorians and the muslim community about his personal experience with the virus.

“I thought I’d share a very quick message and a reminder for myself and everyone out there and more specifically to the Muslim community out there,” he said.

“I want to share a personal experience with the current situation that we’re all facing out with the COVID-19.

“My family has been affected by COVID-19. It’s been tough, it’s been a tough time. When you’re restricted and you’re isolated, it’s very touching.

“More specifically, my mother’s been affected a lot. She’s currently in ICU undergoing some heavy treatment. The team in the ICU is taking care of her. Her current state is a mixed one. God knows best her situation.

“What burns and what hurts truly is the fact that no one from her family members can go and visit her, which is very, very tough. Please put yourselves in this position.

“I don’t want you to feel sorry for me but rather think about in general and think about as it being you and part of your family. Hopefully you can change your mindset about COVID-19. The reality is it is out there.

“I’m experiencing it right now within my family. Please I urge you for the sake of Allah go get tested. If you’re showing any form of symptoms, if you’re not showing any symptoms, please do your bit.”

The 32-year-old Houli, who grew up in the western suburbs, urged the Muslim community to “think about the blessing that this state has provided us” and get tested and follow the government’s stay-at-home orders.

“Whenever there’s any events out there the government is supporting us,” he said.

“They allow us to practise our religion freely, so we should be grateful for this. All they want from us, from me and you, is to follow protocols as best as we can. So please go get tested, do your bit. I’m doing my bit, you do your bit.

“I’ve been tested over 30 times being a current AFL player, and that’s the protocols. And we had to tick the box. It tickles a little bit, it doesn’t hurt. It’s a very, very quick procedure.

“Please go to the nearest place and go get tested. Do your best to isolate, and we do our best to wipe out this current pandemic.”