German politician warns Bundesliga restart could get ‘red card’ if strict guidelines are breached
A TOP German politician has claimed the Bundesliga restart could be quickly stopped in its tracks with more serious breaches of coronavirus protocol.
Bavaria President Markus Soder told Germany's biggest national newspaper, , that there had been several issues with players and clubs.
That could mean the top two divisions - which started playing again today - might be put back in lockdown.
The Bundesliga resumed today with all matches being played behind closed doors, after getting the OK from the German government.
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Clubs started training three weeks ago.
The biggest clash saw the local derby between Borussia Dortmund and Schalke.
But Soder is concerned about rule-breaking and claimed there has been serious violations of the Government's medical policy to tackle the pandemic.
He said: "If health experts have made those suggestions, if the league with great expense and smart ideas has worked on concepts, you have to stick those rules.
"And if you do not stick to those rules, you might get the red card. It's like that in football as well as in real life."
Augsburg coach Heiko Herrlich revealed he broke a curfew to go and buy some toothpaste.
This meant he was unable to be in the dugout for his first match in charge against Wolfsburg today.
Former Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou posted a video on social media showing him breaching social distancing rules at his Hertha Berlin club.
Werder Bremen have a player under quarantine suspected of having Covid-19.
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Dynamo Dresden's entire squad have been ruled out for the first two weeks of the newly-started season because of players testing positive for coronavirus.
And Borussia Monchengladbach cut the number of days they were meant to be in quarantine after German football chiefs moved their match with Eintracht Frankfurt.
Despite Soder's concerns players and staff are being tested regularly and football chiefs have no plans to halt the season at present.