Britain ‘laughed’ at Italy for ‘over reacting’ to coronavirus claims West Ham star Angelo Ogbonna

WEST HAM star Angelo Ogbonna claims Britain “laughed” at Italy and underestimated the impact of the coronavirus.

Italy international Ogbonna told Tuttomercatoweb about the UK reaction, saying: “Initially there was scepticism, the emergency was handled superficially.

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“I think there was also an intention to try to protect the country economically after Brexit.

“They underestimated a very serious, global issue. Initially they laughed at us [Italy], they thought we were exaggerating the issue.

“I live in London, but I was immediately worried about us and my family in Italy.

“I have to tell you the truth, at least in London there was concern. Empty supermarkets, fewer people around. But London is not England.”

Ogbonna and his partner Laura are expecting their second child next month and are finding life hard, especially as they are separated from loved ones back in Italy.

The Hammers defender said: “It’s a unique situation.

“Living abroad makes it even more difficult, for us but also for our partners. We already have a son and we are waiting for the second in a month, and it’s hard for her.

“There’s no support from our parents, as there was for the arrival of the first child.

“I do and we do everything possible, but it’s clear that you must give the same importance to the child who is there, as much as the one who is arriving, all in a quarantine situation.

“You also discover things that you took for granted in everyday life.

“I want to thank the doctors in Italy who are taking care of the people, the sick, the infected, those who take risks every day.

“My family are in Cassino, the situation is difficult everywhere, and there, too.

“My partner’s are in Turin, where we almost always stay every time we go back. They are in lockdown, it seems like a film.”