On Sunday, the Los Angeles Galaxy released a statement with a timeline for the return of forward and US National Team player Landon Donovan. “After a series of collaborative discussions between Landon, his representative and our key club leaders, we have agreed to allow Landon to remain on an extended leave of absence and return to training with the team during the final week of March,” LA coach Bruce Arena said. “We understand this arrangement is not ideal, but we are confident it will allow Landon the time he needs to be both mentally and physically prepared for the upcoming season. We remain focused on our preparation for the start of the 2013 season and look forward to Landon rejoining us next month.”
Whether or not Landon truly deserves the time away, and could benefit from it, I’m nonetheless left to wonder if any other player in the team (let alone the league) would be granted such lee-way in being away from the team as has been given to Landon here…or would such a player be considered, in effect, AWOL and subject to fines?