Players in Germany’s Bundesliga and the second tier, the 2Bundesliga will not be punished for breaking social distancing guidelines when celebrating goals.
This was confirmed by the German Football League (DFL) on Saturday.
Players have since been advised to respect social distancing regulations, but it will not be strictly enforced.
Hertha Berlin defender Dedryck Boyata hogged the headlines on Saturday as the 2019/20 Bundesliga season made a return.
He kissed his team-mate Marko Grujic on the cheek to celebrate an own goal from Hoffenheim’s Kevin Akpoguma and this understandably set the tongues wagging, literally.
However, the DFL has now announced that neither Boyata nor any players who don’t respect social distancing regulations in this context, will be punished.
“On the subject of goal celebrations, it was something that was merely advised in the guidelines – sanctions are therefore not necessary,” A DFL spokesman clarified.
Hertha’s coach Bruno Labbadia also voiced his sentiments on the debate.
“I hope that people outside understand this. It is only a recommendation to hold back,” Labbadia explained.
“We have been tested negative six times, most recently yesterday.
“Emotions are also a part of it. Otherwise there is no point in playing the game,” he stated.
With players at close quarters throughout the match, the efficacy of insisting on socially-distanced goal celebrations has been questioned by some as other top leagues look to come up with guidelines to get their own seasons back underway.
However, while the German first and second divisions aren’t insisting on it, other measures will nonetheless take some getting used to.
Hertha forward Vedad Ibisevic, playing against his former club, was seen spitting in the penalty area after missing a chance in the first half – something which is now against the rules.
Ibisevic did eventually get on the scoresheet in the second half as Hertha swept to a comprehensive 3-0 victory in Hoffenheim.
The Bosnian forward struck just two minutes after Akpoguma had put through his own net, with Matheus Cunha adding a late third.The result took Hertha up to 11th in the Bundesliga, ending a run of three league games without a win.
Meanwhile, Dortmund followed their derby win with a tribute to their absent fans, saluting the Sudtribune stand where their famous ‘Yellow Wall’ usually resides.
