PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN’S crunch Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund is set to be played behind closed doors due to the ongoing threat of the coronavirus.
The second leg of the last-16 tie is due to be played in France at the Parc des Princes stadium, but the decision has been made to ban fans from attending.
PSG’s Champions League fixture against Borussia Dortmund has become the latest fixture to be played behind closed doorsCredit: Reuters
It becomes the second European tie to fall victim to coronavirus following Valencia’s meeting with Atalanta.
The Spanish side will also host the Serie A outfit at their Mestalla stadium behind closed doors, with all sporting fixtures in Italy currently banning supporters in a desperate bid to deal with the deadly bug.
Dortmund meanwhile are leading the tie against PSG 2-1 on aggregate from a packed out Signal Iduna Park two weeks ago.
This arguably hands Thomas Tuchel a disadvantage in the return fixture against his former side when Neymar and co line-up without the presence of a home crowd.
PSG had been desperate to avoid the decision to have the game played behind closed doors, even outsourcing a company to conduct a mass disinfection of the entire stadium.
Another internal discussion had been to open the gates to the Parc des Princes earlier to prevent large clusters of fans gathering together.
However, French Health Minister Olivier Veran made such a move impossible after banning gatherings of more than 1,000 people during an emergency meeting with President Emmanuel Macron.
France itself has suffered more than 1,200 cases of the virus in the country, with 19 deaths.
French police issued a statement which read: “In application of the measures announced by the defense council last night, the Prefect of Police decided that the match #PSGBVB will take place behind closed doors.”
Meanwhile, the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells was axed earlier today after a coronavirus case was confirmed in nearby Coachella Valley in California, US.
The Bahrain GP will also be held behind closed doors due to the killer virus – which has claimed a third victim in the UK.
And Cristiano Ronaldo high-fived imaginary fans before Juventus beat Inter Milan last night, as supporters in Italy remain in lockdown with players threatening to strike.
Watch as Cristiano Ronaldo air-fives no one amid coronavirus fears ahead of Serie A clash vs Inter Milan
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
