November 10 – Unvaccinated Bayern Munich star Joshua Kimmich (pictured) and four other German internationals have been quarantined after a positive test in the national team camp, the German federation (DFB) said Tuesday.
Defender Niklas Sule tested positive for the coronavirus, even though he is fully vaccinated. The DFB, however, said that Sule is asymptomatic.
As close contacts of Sule, Kimmich, Serge Gnabry and Jamal Musiala as well as Karim Adeyemi of RB Salzburg have all been asked to isolate. They all tested negative.
“This news, coming so close before the final World Cup qualifiers, is bitter for the coaching team as well as for Die Mannschaft,” said DFB director Bierhoff.
On Thursday, Germany host Liechtenstein before they wrap up their World Cup qualifying against Armenia, but the Sule case comes amid a surge in Covid-19 in Germany and across Western Europe. Last month, Kimmich revealed that he didn’t get vaccinated because he wanted to understand the long-term effects of the vaccine, a viewpoint that ignited debate in Germany, with senior politicians urging him to rethink his position.
The German Football League (DFL) released figures that 90% of players in Germany’s top two leagues have been vaccinated.
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