Nobby Solano has revealed he was arrested in Peru for breaching the Coronavirus lock-down rules.
But the Newcastle United legend denied he legged it to a party during a curfew – saying is was just a gathering for friends with some music.
Solano was pictured on Peruvian TV being led away by police.
He has insisted he “knows how serious coronavirus is.”
He said: "Our kids were bored in the house so we took them for exercise and some lunch - 200 yards away!
“We are taking the precautions and we know everybody in the house doesn't have the virus."
Solano, also famed for his trumpet playing while on Tyneside, added: “There were five people and because somebody heard some music they rang the TV programme and they turned up.
"We had to go to the police station because everybody gets treated the same here.
"They asked what we were doing and I said it was not a party.
"It was a meeting of friends not a party."
Solano has wished Newcastle fans well and urged them to stay healthy, adding: “We all have to follow the orders now as it is the best for everybody.”
Solano - currently working as assistant manager of the Peru national team - insists that a tip-off to a prime-time entertainment show sparked the scenes that have been relayed around the world.
Peru is on lockdown with social gatherings banned from March 16.
So far there have been 580 confirmed coronavirus cases and 9 deaths from the virus.
The UK is also on lockdown but has seen considerably more people die from Covid-19.
Measures are being taken to prevent the spread of the disease which includes all sport being suspended indefinitely.
The Premier League has set an optimistic return date of April 30 but that is almost certain to be put back.
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