RB LEIPZIG have apologised to the 20 Japanese football fans kicked out of their clash against Bayer Leverkusen after it was mistakenly believed they had coronavirus.
Two separate supporters tweeted about the unsavoury incident in yesterday’s 1-1 draw at the Red Bull Arena.
It is believed around 20 Japanese fans were kicked out of the ground after it was mistakenly believed they had coronavirusCredit: AFP – DPA
One of those at the game tweeted about the incident
One by the name of Taichi Hayashikawa wrote: “I attended the game against Bayer Leverkusen.
“I entered the game with no problem. However, after the game started, a security agent at the Red Bull Arena told that I could be infected with COVID-19 because I am Japanese.
“I was kicked out within the first 10 minutes of the game.”
German publication Bild claim that an entire tour group in Sector C was made to leave.
Takeshi Yamakodo tweeted: “Due to coronavirus, Japanese group guests were evacuated in the Bundesliga game 15 minutes after the start.
“On the way home a German security guard told me, ‘I’m sorry’.
“It’s not anyone’s fault. But leaving the stadium is too sad.”
One website that covers RB in detail claims some 20 supporters from Japan were made to leave.
Leipzig – who sit second in the German league, three points behind leaders Bayern Munich – had previously said they would tighten safety precautions at the ground.
But it has been claimed that was only due to lead to placing more disinfectant around their stadium – not ejecting those watching the game.
The club have since released a statement apologising for what happened.
It read: “The security service was required to monitor groups of people from potential risk areas in accordance with the Robert Koch Institute’s recommendations for action.
“Unfortunately, in the specific case, due to the great uncertainty that we currently have on this subject, we made a mistake in interpreting our Japanese guests.
“We’re sorry about that.
“We are already trying to contact the people concerned and invite them to the next home game.”
The global death toll for coronavirus has exceeded 3,000 with the overwhelming majority of those – 2,912 – coming in mainland China, where the outbreak began.
Boris Johnson warns coronavirus crisis will get ‘more significant’ for UK in days
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
