Hertha Berlin have suspended striker Salomon Kalou after he posted a video online in which he breaks social distancing rules.
Kalou has since deleted the video showing him disobeying many of the German football league's (DFL) safety measures upon his return to training with Hertha.
Kalou entered the locker room and said hello to some of his team-mates by offering to shake hands. He also walks in to see defender Jordan Torunarigha being tested for Covid-19 and then ignores the doctor's request that he leave the room.
Hertha have criticised the 34-year-old attacker's behaviour and moved to suspend him from training because of the video.
"Salomon Kalou has given the impression in his video that the Hertha BSC players do not take the social distancing and hygiene rules seriously on the part of the health authorities," a statement on the club's website read.
"Hertha BSC would like to state that this was the failure of a single player. The fact that other team members did not draw his attention to this misconduct and instead replied to the greeting by shaking hands shows that the regular references to the distance and hygiene rules must be even more intense."
Hertha's statement continued: "With his 'Coronavirus singing', Salomon Kalou gave the impression that he was not aware of the extent of the Corona pandemic.
"Salomon Kalou violated fundamental team internal rules and showed behaviour that is neither appropriate to the situation nor corresponds to the rules of conduct of the club. Hertha BSC has therefore decided to suspend it from training and game operations with immediate effect."
Kalou himself offered an apology to the club and stressed that he is concerned about the coronavirus pandemic.
"I am sorry if I gave the impression that I am not taking Coronavirus seriously. I apologise for this. The opposite is the case, because I am especially worried about the people in Africa, where medical care there is nowhere near as good as in Germany," he said.
"I didn’t really think and was happy that everyone's tests were negative and I also want to apologise to those who appeared in the video without knowing."
On Monday, the DFL confirmed 10 positive test results for coronavirus in the top two divisions, after Koln announced three members of staff had contracted the disease.
The German government has outlined plans to resume the current season this month, with the remaining fixtures expected to be played behind closed doors.
Nesaiknruy_Legend
1
It's getting dreadful in the UK because of this. Surely after what happened to Prince Charles and Boris Johnson, you'd have expected much more strict rules in place.
Now we have the 2nd highest toll in the world. Just goes to show how dumb people in the UK are when it comes to summer weather.
Nesaiknruy_Legend
2
That too he's an ex-Chelsea player, not a current Chelsea player. Rather than saying Hertha Berlin player, they want to point out that he was a former Chelsea player. If they say Hertha player, they won't get much publicity so they pick on Chelsea as usual 🙄
Honestly hate the press when it comes to football. They cant get a grip on reality which is that they keep going after 1 team constantly. They're bullies that's the truth.
tauaiklt
2
ex Chelsea player and not ex Chelsea star
Rewabintu
0
Africans, when will you learn?
you're very stupid... whites why are you dying?.... you're dying because you're stupid for bringing corona virus
Maestro17
0
Africa is Africa , sorry German
there are many European players who break that rule
hazardeden1017
1
kalou was a good player
Andy_Mac
0
Why does the media love incriminating and vilifying Chelsea players. Am I the only one who finds it odd? I've had enough of this 1 sided bias its clear that when other clubs do these things there is never this much emphasis or vilification of their players. I honestly hate the media with a passion when it comes to football.
That too he's an ex-Chelsea player, not a current Chelsea player. Rather than saying Hertha Berlin player, they want to point out that he was a former Chelsea player. If they say Hertha player, they won't get much publicity so they pick on Chelsea as usual 🙄
Andy_Mac
1
Exactly and even in my local area in london so many idiots just go out with no masks and in large groups. Police here are soft so they cant enforce the rules enough.
It's getting dreadful in the UK because of this. Surely after what happened to Prince Charles and Boris Johnson, you'd have expected much more strict rules in place.
mufcholic99
1
Africans, when will you learn?
No wonder Corona is killing more whites.. Why didn't you comment opposite when jovic, mount or walker did the same??😒
Nesaiknruy_Legend
2
Example: Mason Mount who broke the rules and hung out with Declan Rice
Exactly and even in my local area in london so many idiots just go out with no masks and in large groups. Police here are soft so they cant enforce the rules enough.
nismo5050
0
Africans, when will you learn?
idiotic mindset, u need brain reset...
Don-imolite
1
Africans, when will you learn?
I still don't know why Barcelona fans are so stupid
Andy_Mac
1
I'm not even African but your comment is pure retarded. White people are worse during the virus epidemic there are people in England who completely disregard the rules and go out in groups and what not.
Example: Mason Mount who broke the rules and hung out with Declan Rice
Peoaiknsty
2
Africans, when will you learn?
I'm from Africa and on behalf of all Africans,You're a big fool
Losdelmpru
0
Africa is Africa , sorry German
Nesaiknruy_Legend
4
Why does the media love incriminating and vilifying Chelsea players. Am I the only one who finds it odd? I've had enough of this 1 sided bias its clear that when other clubs do these things there is never this much emphasis or vilification of their players. I honestly hate the media with a passion when it comes to football.
Nesaiknruy_Legend
5
Africans, when will you learn?
I'm not even African but your comment is pure retarded. White people are worse during the virus epidemic there are people in England who completely disregard the rules and go out in groups and what not.
HasibRaiyan
0
Lampard sign him and retire him at Chelsea
rotbcmort
4
Africans, when will you learn?
Why pointing at his origin? Many people has done the same, from all classes, groups, races, etc. Do not bring this in football. COVID-19 affect all humans.
joekesh30
0
upon all the rules and regulations which has been set by the WHO, people still get infected by the virus.
Pusalnost
0
Africans, when will you learn?