German football club Red Bull Leipzig have apologised after ejecting 20 Japanese fans from their stadium on Sunday due to fears they were carrying the coronavirus.
The security staff at the Red Bull Arena removed 20 supporters after the game started, with one saying they were kicked out after just 10 minutes of on-field action.
A statement released by the club on Monday admitted 'a mistake was made on our part with respect to our Japanese guests... in light of this mistake, we would like to extend our apologies.'
It continued: 'We are already trying to get in contact with the fans in question to invite them to our next home game to try and make amends for the incident.
'As for our handing of the coronavirus issue, we will continue to work thoroughly and on a daily basis with the authorities in order to try and reach the best possible solution for all of our guests.'
The club admitted that the 'ground's security personnel had been instructed to intensify checks regarding the admission of certain groups due to potential risk.'
Taichi Hayashikawa had posted on Twitter about the incident, saying originally he was allowed into the stadium without any issues.
His tweet, which has since been deleted, then said: 'However, after the game started, a security guard in the Red Bull Arena said to me that I could be infected with the coronavirus because I am Japanese.
'I was kicked out within the first ten minutes of the game.'
People on social media have blasted Red Bull Leipzig, and some have accused the club of racism.
One user, Kosuke Okahara, tweeted: 'This is called RACISM. As a former Leipzig resident and still a big fan of RB Leipzig, I am deeply disappointed by such mentality.'
Coronavirus has already affected the world of football, with five Serie A games cancelled in Italy at the weekend and no games to be played until March 8 in the regions affected in Italy's top flight.
As for the match itself, Leipzig lost ground in the Bundesliga title race as they were held to a 1-1 draw against Bayer Leverkusen.