LIVERPOOL’S away leg against RB Leipzig in the Champions League last-16 will NOT be able to take place in Germany due to coronavirus restrictions.
The German government has banned travel to the country from areas that have mutant strains of the virus, until February 17.
Liverpool will not be allowed to travel to Germany to play RB Leipzig on February 16Credit: Reuters
Liverpool were scheduled to play RB Leipzig on February 16.
It could mean the two legs are switched around, with Liverpool hosting their German opponents at Anfield on that date, or the first leg being played at a neutral venue.
An application by Leipzig for special permission for Liverpool to enter the country was refused by federal police.
The Corona Protection Order agreed by the federal government last Friday envisions only a few exceptions and no special arrangement for professional athletes.
The federal police has told RB Leipzig today that the circumstances of the given case do not meet the requirements for an exemption.
The German club could ask Uefa to move the game to a neutral venue.
Switching the order of the legs so that Liverpool plays at home first could also be an option.
That would likely require Leipzig’s players and staff to go into quarantine on their return to Germany from Britain.
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Uefa is also open to delaying games affected by travel bans.
On Tuesday the governing body set April 2 as the latest possible date to finish last-16 games in time for the quarter-finals.
Germany is blocking most arrivals of non-residents from Britain to restrict the spread of new variants of the virus.
If the travel restrictions are extended beyond the current expiry date of February 17, Manchester Citys first-leg trip to play Borussia Monchengladbach on February 24 could be affected.
In the Europa League, Arsenal’s home and away games against Benfica may be affected by British restrictions on travel to and from Portugal.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
