As the Bundesliga returned over the weekend, a moment on the pitch between Hertha Berlin players Dedryck Boyata and Marko Grujic raised concerns over the league’s new guidelines on player contact.
During Hertha’s 3-0 win against Hoffenheim on Saturday (May 16), Boyata was seen holding Grujic by the head and coming into very close contact with his teammate – a breach of the regulations set out by the Bundesliga as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Now, Boyata has taken to Instagram to apologise for getting close to Grujic, explaining that he wasn’t kissing him or celebrating but, rather, explaining a set piece.
“It wasn’t a kiss, neither a celebration,” Boyata wrote on Instagram. “I apologise for putting my hands on @grujicmarko face. I was giving him instructions about a set piece.
“We must definitely be careful now that we play under this situation. We have to adapt our way to play or celebrate.”
Following the celebrations during the Hertha game, a Bundesliga spokesperson said: “On the subject of goal celebrations, it was something that was merely advised in the guidelines – sanctions are therefore not necessary.”
The incident occurred as the Bundesliga became the first major European football league to resume over the weekend following its suspension in March due to COVID-19.