Bayern Munich vs Barcelona to be played behind closed doors after Bavaria experiences rise in Covid-19 cases
The Champions League match between Bayern Munich and Barcelona will be played behind closed doors after a rise in Covid-19 cases in Bavaria.
State officials have agreed to ban fans from attending matches as part of a lockdown across the region, with Christmas markets cancelled and restrictions placed on indoor mixing.
Bayern are therefore set to see out the year behind closed doors, including Wednesday’s visit of Barcelona. Local media reports suggest a temporary suspension of football games has not been ruled out.
Incoming German chancellor Olaf Schultz has described the recent nationwide measures as “a lockdown of the unvaccinated”. Vaccinations could become mandatory across the country by early next year.
Bayern have also taken a public stance against unvaccinated players in recent weeks, suspending and docking the wages of Serge Gnabry, Jamal Musiala, Mickael Cuisance, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, and Joshua Kimmich.
Next week’s tie is a dead rubber for Munich, who have already qualified top of Group E. They also face Mainz and Wolfsburg at home in Bundesliga action this December.
Barcelona need a win to guarantee their place in the last-16 and a draw will see them leapfrogged by Benfica, if the Portuguese team can beat Dynamo Kiev on the same night.
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