Liverpool have been barred from entering Germany for their UEFA Champions League last 16 clash, leaving RB Leipzig in a tough predicament.
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The Reds are set to take on the Bundesliga side in the continental tournament on 16 February, but strict entry rules due to the global pandemic means that Liverpool do not have permission to enter the country.
The German interior ministry released a statement that read: "German federal police informed RB Leipzig today that the described case does not meet the requirements for an exception to the travel restrictions."
This puts Leipzig in a difficult situation as UEFA regulations state that they will need to find a way to host their last 16 match or risk forfeiting the game, which will result in an automatic 3-0 loss.
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RB Leipzig CEO Oliver Mintzlaff has also addressed the matter, with NDTV quoting him as saying: "We are in talks and we are working on a solution. We will play somewhere."
Potential solutions to the issue would be for Leipzig to find a new venue, or for the home and away legs to be switched with the hope that rules could be eased before the second leg.
Hosting the game at Red Bull Salzburg's home ground was discussed as an option, but Leipzig's sister club may not be able to assist them due to their own participation in the UEFA Europa League.
"The Europa League has a different branding from the Champions League. So the stadium must be prepared two days before and the turf must be in top condition," Salzburg's media spokesman Christian Kircher told German newspaper Passauer Neue Presse.
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The situation will also be worrying for Borussia Monchengladbach, who are due to welcome Manchester City to Germany for their Champions League battle on 24 February.
