Liverpool will not be able to play their Champions League match in Leipzig because of Covid-19 restrictions.
The first leg of the last-16 tie had been scheduled to take place on 16 February but the German government has banned entry on all arrivals from countries affected by coronavirus variants until 17 February.
The German interior ministry said on Thursday that an application by RB 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 ministry said in an emailed statement.
“The federal police has told the RB Leipzig club today that the circumstances of the given case do not meet the requirements for an exemption.”
The stance provides a headache for both clubs and Uefa, with the game now likely to be played at a neutral venue. London and Budapest have already been mooted as possible locations.
As it stands Liverpool are due to face Leipzig in the second leg at Anfield on 10 March, with that match unaffected by travel bans.
The onus falls on Leipzig to find a new venue for the first leg or run the risk of Liverpool being handed a 3-0 win.
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On Tuesday it set 2 April as the latest possible date to finish last-16 games in time for the quarter-finals.
This article was most recently revised and updated 4 years ago
