Berlin (AFP)
Bayern Munich announced on Thursday that its player Joshua Kimmich will not take part until January next year, after recovering from a lung infection caused by the Govt-19 virus.
Kimmich, who has not been vaccinated, was infected with the corona virus last month.
The club quoted the midfielder in a statement on its website: I am glad the period of isolation from the corona virus is over, I am in good condition, but have not yet been able to fully train due to minor lung infiltration.
The 26-year-old added, “So I’m going to do some fitness training and look forward to a full return in January.”
Kimmich will miss the Bavarian giants’ game against Mainz on Saturday, the match against Stuttgart on the 14th of this month, and the last game against Wolfsburg at the Allianz Arena on the 17th.
Kimmich, who has not played since November 6, sparked controversy over the vaccine in Germany last month after it was revealed he had not been vaccinated “for personal reasons”.
The news has angered some Bayern fans as they have to provide evidence that fans at football matches in Germany have received two doses of the vaccine or recovered from Govt’s disease, even if the players show a negative test result.
The Bildt and Kicker newspapers reported that two of his club colleagues, Serge Knabry and Jamal Musiala, had been vaccinated after being isolated as contact cases.
Germany coach Hansie Flick revealed last month that Kimmich could change his mind on the matter: “I think things are going in the right direction when it comes to getting the Yuzua vaccine.”
Last month it was reported that Bayern Munich had decided to deduct the salaries of five unvaccinated players in its ranks.
One of the first steps that the newly elected German Chancellor Olaf Scholes will take as head of government is expected to be to enact legislation to make vaccination compulsory from February or March next year.
Bayern “Bundesliga” are four points clear of second-placed Borussia Dortmund on points, finishing sixth in the Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday with a full victory over Barcelona, ​​knocking out the latter. In the first round of the main continental tournament for the first time since the 2000-2001 season.