Former Chelsea star Salomon Kalou has been suspended by Bundesliga outfit Hertha Berlin for posting a video breaking various COVID-19 rules.
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The Ivorian forward went on Facebook live, where he was seen breaking social distancing regulatons and interrupting coronavirus a test.
As a result, the Bundesliga top flight club have now decided to suspend the 34-year-old winger from training and matches.
Club statement:
With his video, Salomon Kalou gave the impression that Hertha BSC’s players are not taking the required social distancing and hygiene guidelines of health services seriously. Hertha BCS would like to clarify that these were the actions of one individual player. The fact that other team members did not draw his attention to this transgression, and instead returned the greeting with a handshake, makes it clear that rules on social distancing must be enforced with even greater intensity.
Hertha BSC’s players remain split into four groups of eight during training sessions. These groups follow a precise plan while moving around, in complete compliance with social distancing guidelines. In addition, players are being repeatedly informed on said health guidelines. Salomon Kalou was tempted by his negative test results to greet the other players in the dressing room, sometimes with a handshake, contrary to the clear announcements made by health authorities.
With his “Corona Song”, Kalou gave the impression that he is not aware of the extent of the ongoing pandemic. Therefore, Salomon Kalou, who does much charity work in his home country of Ivory Coast, would like to make the following statement; “I’m sorry if I gave the impression that I’m not taking coronavirus seriously. I want to apologise for this. The reality is the exact opposite, because I’m really worried about the people of Africa, because health systems aren’t as good there as they are in Germany. I didn’t really think it through, and was excited that my tests came back negative. I would also like to apologise to all those, who appeared in the video, who didn’t know that I was broadcasting live and whom I didn’t want to bring into this situation.”
With this video taken inside the team’s dressing room, Kalou broke clear internal rules and display a behaviour, which is neither appropriate for this current situation, nor reflective of the code of conduct of Hertha BSC. The club has therefore made the decision to suspend the player in question from training and matches with immediate effect.
The discussion on partially waiving the salaries of the Hertha BSC’s professional players was caused by incorrect calculations. These have since been corrected. These measures were openly discussed in coordination with everyone, and supported by all of the players. There was no internal criticism. On the contrary, everybody welcomed these measures.
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