AFL star reveals his mum is fighting for life with coronavirus – as he pleads with the Muslim community to get tested in emotional video
- Richmond Tigers star Bachar Houli’s mum is in ICU gravely ill with coronavirus
- Houli said it had been a ‘tough, tough time’ for his family who can’t see her
- Shared story in an emotional public plea to Muslim community to get tested
AFL star Bachar Houli has revealed his mother is fighting for life after being diagnosed with coronavirus as he issued a heartfelt plea urging people to get tested.
The Richmond Tigers premiership hero posted an emotional video on Monday to reveal his mother Yamama was in intensive care and spoke about the toll it has had on his family.
Despite his wife giving birth to their third child last week, Houli said it had been ‘tough, tough time’ for his family.
Bachar Houli (right) says it has been a tough time for his family with his mother Yamama (left) gravely ill with coronavirus
‘When you’re restricted and you’re isolated, it’s very touching,’ Houli said.
‘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.’
His mother is among 17 Victorians in intensive care and 1612 active coronavirus cases across the state.
‘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,’ Houli pleaded.
He urged everyone, particularly in the Muslim community to get tested.
Bachar Houli posted an emotional video about his mother Yamama’s battle with coronavirus in intensive care, who cannot see any of her family
‘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,’ he said.
‘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.
‘All they want for us is to follow protocol the best we can.’
As an elite AFL player, Houli said he’d been tested at least 30 times in the last few months as part of strict training protocols.
Bachar Houli has remained in Melbourne during lockdown restriction. he’s pictured taking a selfie with his two daughters during the 2019 AFL grand final parade
‘It tickles a little bit, it doesn’t hurt,’ Houli said.
‘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.
‘This is for the community. This is a reminder for me and you for the benefit for the community at large.’
While the rest of his Richmond teammates are holed up in a quarantine hub on the Gold Coast for at least four weeks, Houli opted to remain in Melbourne for the recent arrival of his son as the city entered stage three lockdown restrictions.
Bachar Houli urged everyone to do their bit by getting tested for coronavirus. Pictured is a mobile testing site in the Melbourne suburb of Fawkner on Monday
The Tigers have extended their thoughts and well wishes Houli and his family.
‘As a club, we’re continuing to offer Bachar and his family the support they need at this time, and we all hope Yamama recovers from COVID-19 soon,’ football performance general manager Tim Livingstone said in a statement.
‘The club encourages anyone with flu-like symptoms to get tested, and to continue to adhere to government and medical advice.’
Tigers star Bacher Houli (left) has opened up on the heartbreaking toll coronavirus has had on his family. He’s pictured with his wife Rouba at the 2011 Brownlow Medal