Liverpool will not be authorized to enter German territory to play their Champions League round of 16 match against RB Leipzig, scheduled for February 16, due to restrictions due to the covid-19 pandemic, they indicated this Thursday from the German Interior Ministry.
The ban on entry into German territory from Great Britain does not contemplate “a special derogation for professional athletes,” a Ministry spokeswoman told AFP, stating that the RB Leipzig-Liverpool football match “does not justify repealing” the rule in force.
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As a consequence, “the Leipzig club has been warned that the planned event would not fall under the existing derogations,” he added.
On Wednesday, the former GDR club had indicated that it had asked the German authorities to grant Liverpool a derogation allowing it to enter German territory.
Since last week, Germany has prohibited airlines from transporting people from countries affected by coronavirus mutations to the territory of their country, with the exception of German citizens or people residing in Germany.
This regulation is officially in force until at least February 7 and affects Great Britain, where a variant of the coronavirus, which is estimated to be more contagious, is widespread.
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RB Leipzig was already expecting such a decision and, according to information from SID (AFP’s sports subsidiary), is preparing a ‘plan B’ for its Champions League tie. UEFA gave the German club until February 8 to find an alternative. If not, Leipzig is in danger of losing the game 3-0.
Among the solutions now possible are the possibility of playing the game on neutral ground outside of Germany or reversing the order of the games in the tie, with the first leg to England and the return to Germany.
AFP
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