Liverpool Banned From Entering Germany For RB Leipzig Champions League Clash Due To Coronavirus Restrictions
Liverpool has been denied entry into Germany for a Champions League match with RB Leipzig scheduled for February 16 due to strict coronavirus protocols imposed by the country.
Germany has banned entry on all arrivals from areas affected by new variant of the coronavirus until at least February 17, with the only exceptions made for German citizens or residents.
The ban came into effect last Saturday and it has been confirmed there will not be any special allowances for Liverpool.
While RB Leipzig pushed for an exception, the German Ministry of the Interior confirmed that there will be no special rules for professional sports and their case did not fall under the handful of exceptions outlined in the government order.
A statement from German government reads;
The Corona Protection ordinance passed by the German government last Fridays provides for only a few exceptions and no special regulations for professional athletes. The Federal Police informed the club RB Leipzig today that the described case constellation does not fall under the exceptions.
Leipzig now have until Monday to propose an alternative venue to UEFA, which could be in a neutral country.
The German team would be able to travel to Anfield and back for the first leg, as German passport holders and residents are allowed to travel to Germany, where they’d be tested straight away.
Under the COVID-19 related regulations for the Champions League released by European football’s governing body earlier this week, the home side are responsible for the organisation of a neutral venue.
Leipzig could also try to convince Liverpool to swap the games, but, according to the reports from Germany, the Premier League side are not willing to do so.
The two legs of the Champions League round of 16 must be completed by April 2. If Leipzig fails to propose a suitable venue, UEFA could decide to rule the match 3-0 in Liverpool’s favour. The German club are confident they will be able to find a neutral venue.
Leipzig Executive, Oliver Mintzlaff told the Press late on Thursday;
We are in talks and we are working on a solution. We will be playing somewhere.
In the Europa League, Arsenal’s home and away games against Benfica may be affected by British regulations on travel to and from Portugal.
