The Champions League match between Bundesliga club RB Leipzig and Liverpool Premier League winners on February 16 will not be played at the Leipzig stadium, the German Interior Ministry confirmed on Wednesday.
Last Saturday, the German government banned flights from the UK and other high-risk countries to stop the spread of the new version of the coronavirus.
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While RB Leipzig pushed for an exception, the German Interior Ministry assured the German news agency, dpa, on Wednesday that there will be no “specific rules for professional sports.”
The government agency said it had told RB Leipzig on Wednesday that their case did not fall within the minor exceptions outlined in the government order.
Leipzig now has until February 8 to suggest another place for UEFA that could be in a neutral country.
A Bundesliga club would be able to travel to Anfield and back for the first leg as a German passer and residents can travel to Germany where they would be tested immediately.
Under the COVID-19 rules for the Champions League released by the European football governing body earlier in the week, the home team has a responsibility to put a neutral center on way.
Leipzig could also try to convince Liverpool to change the games, but, according to German group Bild, the Premier League side are unwilling to do so.
Both legs of the Champions League round 16 must be completed by April 2 and if Leipzig does not suggest a suitable place UEFA could decide to rule the match 3-0 in favor of Liverpool.