Premier League reigning champions Liverpool will not be able to travel to Germany for their last-16 Champions League clash against RB Leipzig.
After being hit hard by new variants of Covid-19, Germany have banned most travellers, with Leipzig being told the first leg fixture “does not meet the requirements for an exception” by an interior ministry statement.
UEFA, European football’s governing body, have regulations in place that if restrictions in a country result in the match not taking place, “the home club must propose a suitable alternative venue, which may be in a neutral county”.
London and Budapest have already been suggested as possible neutral locations, however if the host club fails to arrange a suitable venue then UEFA can deem the match to have been forfeited, with the home side losing 3-0.
With the tie set to take place on 16 February and the restrictions in place until 17 February, Liverpool could host the first leg instead, with the second leg back in Leipzig on 10 March.
This idea of switching the ties is currently not being considered as the best option though as Leipzig’s players and staff would be forced into quarantine upon their return to Germany from the UK.
Leipzig now have to find a new venue for the first leg or run the risk of Liverpool being handed a 3-0 win.
If the travel restrictions in Germany are extended, they may also hinder Manchester City’s trip to Borussia Monchengladbach later this month, while Arsenal’s home and away games against Benfica in the Europa League could be affected too.
UEFA has welcomed the possibility of delaying matches affected by travel bans thought, with 2 April the deadline to finish the last-16 games in time for the quarter-finals.
