Castro chooses camping over Glory

Perth Glory captain and star midfielder Diego Castro has opted out of the remainder of the A-League season, citing an "unacceptable health risk" as Australia battles fresh outbreaks of COVID-19, and gone touring in a campervan with his family.

The 38-year-old Spaniard declined to join his teammates in a New South Wales hub ahead of Friday's restart of the A-League which was shut down in March, the Glory said on Tuesday. A-League broadcaster Fox Sports reported that Castro was touring Western Australia state in a campervan with his family and had not been in contact with the club for some time.

The loss of playmaker Castro is a huge blow for Glory, who sit fifth in the league with six regular season matches before the playoffs.