Reports suggest that reigning German football champions Bayern Munich will withhold the salaries of five unvaccinated players who have been forced to quarantine, due to being in contact with someone infected with COVID-19.

Five German football players to be fined

Five German football players playing for Bayern Munich are set to have their wages docked after being forced into quarantine, according to reports from the German media. Bayern has since confirmed that Serge Gnabry, Jamal Musiala, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Michaël Cuisance will join Joshua Kimmich in isolation following contact with an individual “close to the club” that had been infected with coronavirus.

The players were reportedly told of the decision on Thursday, following a meeting with club officials. Kimmich has already come under fire in Germany for admitting he had not received the vaccine due to concerns over the lack of long-term studies. The player is now expected to lose around 384.000 euros for missing a week of training.

Bayern has so far declined to comment on the developments. Reports suggest that the players are surprised by the club’s decision and are even considering legal action.

Athlete-vaccine debate rages on in Germany

The news is the latest in an ongoing saga in the German media over whether athletes playing in the country's various sporting competitions should be required to take the vaccine. Bayern’s long-time (ex-)chairman, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, told reporters that the ongoing debate regarding players and the vaccine was straining the club. He stated that Bayern "have tried everything to solve the issue and find a solution, which hasn't worked," and that, if the reports of wage cuts proved true, it was a sign that the club “is now reacting.”

Germany is currently suffering a fourth coronavirus wave, which has seen infection numbers soar to record levels and, yet again, put a heavy strain on the country’s healthcare system.

Last week, the German government implemented new measures to try and stop the spread of the virus. These new measures mean that unvaccinated people must have a valid COVID pass to enter workplaces and public transport. In places with a high rate of hospitalisation, certain indoor public areas will only be accessible to those who have either been vaccinated or recovered from the coronavirus - including sporting events.