Football

Werder Bremen to stop players from visiting COVID-19 hotspots

German club Werder Bremen will prevent its players from joining the national teams in coronavirus risk areas.
The four-time German champions announced that they will not be releasing their players to travel abroad during the upcoming international break due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Sporting Director of Die Werderaner, Frank Baumann said it was not a decision that was taken lightly.
“It wasn’t an easy decision, we know how important the national team is for a player,” Baumann said. 
“We hope that it will be possible to release the players during the next international break.”    
The decision comes because Bremen health authorities insist on a precautionary five-day quarantine for players returning from international risk areas.   
Bremen were the first to announce that they wouldn’t release their players to their national teams traveling to COVID-19 risk areas, but they aren’t alone. 
Arminia Bielefeld have since announced that they will follow suit, while Hertha Berlin and Stuttgart have said they won’t send theirs either if it means they have to go into quarantine when they return. 
Both are awaiting directives from their local health authorities in the next few days.   
Under a temporary FIFA rule change, clubs are not required to release their players to represent their countries if it would involve a mandatory period of self-isolation when they return.

Sammy Wejinya

Recent Posts

Marathon magic in New York and Soweto

Competitive racing was the order of the day at the TCS New York City Marathon…

18 hours ago

Mainz 05 Inspires Youth at Totalsport Safe-Hub in Alexandra

A coaching team from Bundesliga club 1.FSV Mainz 05 visited Totalsport Safe-Hub in Alexandra for…

6 days ago

Spotlight on African basketball talent and milestones as NBA’s 2024/25 season takes off

An NBA season packed with African talent and colourful courts is underway, with games available…

1 week ago

Tsitsikamma and Trail Running – setting the gold standard for inclusive conservation

Victor Mokoena and his team in the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park…

2 weeks ago

Xaba and Tola re-write the record books at Sanlam’s Cape Town Marathon

Rising Ethiopian marathon star, Abdisa Tola, and South Africa’s running great, Glenrose ‘Supercharger’ Xaba, created…

3 weeks ago

Collin and Tayla shine on Day One of the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon weekend

Zimbabwean Collin Kanyimo and British athlete Catherine Williamson took the trail honours in the 44km…

3 weeks ago