‘Zlatan’ rule would affect Chicharito

Zlatan Ibrahimovic set a precedent in 2018 and not precisely because of something positive, but because his refusal to play the All-Star Game that year led the MLS to establish the ‘Zlatan’ rule and which today could affect Javier ‘ Chicharito Hernandez.

The rule dictates that if a player decides not to participate in the All-Star Game, he cannot appear in his team’s next league game, this to encourage players to participate and avoid evasions.

However, Chicharito’s case is complicated. The Mexican forward has 11 consecutive games without appearing with the LA Galaxy due to a calf injury. The club has been cautious about his recovery to avoid relapses later on and hoped to count on him next weekend in the Traffic Classic against LAFC.

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The Earthquakes now have three wins in their last six games. For the Galaxy, it’s two straight losses at home in a span of four days, which could knock them out of the top three in the West.

The situation is that, at midweek, the All-Star Game and individual skills tests are passed in which ‘Chicharito’ is registered as one of the MLS figures.

That is, if the club and Hernández chose not to participate for fear of slowing their progress, he could not be present in the Los Angeles rivalry on Saturday either.

“We have a plan which has already been communicated to the league. It is not the place for me to discuss what has been discussed internally, but it is a conversation that continues, ”coach Greg Vanney said Friday after the Earthquakes game.

Even before the injury, ‘Chicharito’ had started 2021 in a great moment. Javier remains the team’s top scorer after his 10 goals in the same number of games. The last match they played was on June 26 when they beat San José with a double precisely from the Mexican.

“Our time for Javier’s return will be the safest time to have him on the field and in the best way for him to finish the season,” said Vanney.