Former Chelsea midfielder Salomon Kalou, 34, posted a video on Facebook of him going against the government’s guidelines by ignoring social distancing measures.
Kalou was seen shaking hands with Hertha Berlin team-mates and interrupting the check-up of another. The video has since been deleted.
The German Football League (DFL) has termed the images as ‘unacceptable’ as it prepares for the resumption of Bundesliga.
Hertha Berlin have suspended Kalou with immediate effect terming his behaviour as inappropriate and does not correspond to the rules and conduct of the club.
Hertha BSC General manager Michael Preetz said: ’’With his video, Salomon Kalou has not only done a great deal of damage to Hertha BSC, but also created the impression that individual players are not taking the issue of coronavirus seriously, in a time of great discussion on the resumption of football and the role of the professional game.‘’
Kalou has apologised to the club: “I am sorry if I gave the impression that I am not taking coronavirus seriously. The opposite is the case, because I am especially worried about the people in Africa, because the medical care there in nowhere near as good as in Germany.
‘’I didn’t really think it through, and I was excited that my tests came back negative.
‘’I would also like to apologise to all those who appeared in the video who didn’t know that I was broadcasting live and whom I didn’t want to bring into this situation.’’
On Monday, the DFL confirmed 10 positive results from 1724 samples tested in the top two German divisions. The affected persons will remain isolated.
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