Bayern’s Kimmich Regrets Being Undecided about Vaccine for So Long

Joshua Kimmich. (AP)
Joshua Kimmich. (AP)
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Bayern’s Kimmich Regrets Being Undecided about Vaccine for So Long

Joshua Kimmich. (AP)
Joshua Kimmich. (AP)

Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich said he regrets not making the decision to get a COVID-19 vaccine sooner after the midfielder was ruled out until January due to lingering effects of the novel coronavirus.

Kimmich, who has returned to light training but is struggling with minor lung issues after contracting COVID-19 in November, said last week he would miss the remainder of the year.

"Broadly, it was just difficult for me to deal with my fears and concerns, and that's why I remained undecided for so long," Kimmich told ZDN on Sunday.

"Maybe I had to go through what I have now gone through first. Of course, looking back, I would like to make the vaccination decision earlier, but at the time it wasn't possible for me."

Kimmich revealed in October he was unvaccinated and the club came out in support of the player, a move that triggered a storm of criticism across Germany.

Kimmich said he understood the criticism that was directed his way but that some of it went too far.

"I have to say personally that some of the limits have been exceeded," the 26-year-old said.

"I also had the feeling that there was one or the other who tried to distinguish themselves through this situation. It wasn't always just objective criticism."

Bayern, who are six points clear in the Bundesliga, travel to face Stuttgart on Tuesday.



Soccer Fans Storm Field in Libya, Portuguese Referee Injured during Suspended Match

The match Wednesday between Al-Ahly Tripoli and Al-Ittihad was suspended in the 39th minute. Reuters file photo
The match Wednesday between Al-Ahly Tripoli and Al-Ittihad was suspended in the 39th minute. Reuters file photo
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Soccer Fans Storm Field in Libya, Portuguese Referee Injured during Suspended Match

The match Wednesday between Al-Ahly Tripoli and Al-Ittihad was suspended in the 39th minute. Reuters file photo
The match Wednesday between Al-Ahly Tripoli and Al-Ittihad was suspended in the 39th minute. Reuters file photo

A highly-anticipated derby in Libya’s top soccer league was suspended after fans stormed the pitch and officials said Thursday the Portuguese referee and some fans were injured.

The match Wednesday between Al-Ahly Tripoli and Al-Ittihad was suspended in the 39th minute when Al-Ahli substitutes and fans stormed the pitch in protest of Al-Ittihad players’ celebration of their opening goal. Al-Ittihad's bus was set on fire, the club said in a statement.

Players and soccer officials fled the stadium amid a fan disturbance outside the facility. Footage circuited online showed clashes between fans and security forces in and around the stadium.

Al-Ahly blamed what it called a “provocative act” by one of Al-Ittihad players for the disturbance.

According to The Associated Press, it said in a statement that security forces used “excessive force and live fire” against fans at the club’s headquarters.

Local media reported that Portuguese referee Fábio José Costa was injured.