Bayern Munich star, Jerome Boateng has expressed his unhappiness after he was fined by the German club for breaking coronavirus lockdown guidelines on Monday.
Boateng broke the lockdown regulation by leaving Munich to visit his sick four-year-old son, Jermar, and was quick to insist that any father would have done the same thing.
Bayern was swift in punishing Boateng and ratified the move via a statement which read:
“These guidelines govern the behaviour of the FC Bayern players in the current situation in line with the Bavarian state government’s directives on restrictions on movement and the recommendations of the health authorities.
“FC Bayern believes the club has a responsibility to be a role model. As a consequence of this transgression, the club has decided to impose a fine on Boateng.
“The club will donate the money to Munich hospitals,” the statement read.
Boateng did not attempt to excuse himself of culpability but he expressed sadness that he had been fined by the club for visiting his indisposed young son.
“I know that it was certainly a mistake not to inform the club about my trip, but in the moment I only had my son in mind,” Boateng told Bild.
“He was not in good health. When a son calls his father, of course I will still go, no matter what time!
“For him I accept any punishment; after all, he is my son.
“I want to see the father who does not go in such a moment to be with his four-year-old son. If there is a punishment for it, then I respect it. I find it sad.”
Reports in Germany also claimed Boateng had been involved in a traffic accident while driving back from seeing his son.
Earlier in the week, Boateng had joined a number of his Bayern team-mates in donating a significant sum to local charities in both Munich and his home town of Berlin.
“In times like these it is important that we all help together,” Boateng said at the time.
“We footballers are often pushed into the role of role models, but role models for me these days are all those who go through their work in the difficult situation and make sure that life goes on as much as possible, like the volunteers at the tables.”
