SPD health expert: Karl Lauterbach considers EM games in Great Britain to be unacceptable

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Scottish fans during the match between Scotland and England: Virus spreads

Photo: Stuart Wallace / BPI / Shutterstock / imago images / Shutterstock

The SPD health expert Karl Lauterbach has criticized London as the venue for the European football championship in view of the increasing number of corona infections.

The politician of the media group "RTL / ntv" said it was unacceptable that football games were held in England with spectators.

“The Delta variant is just too dangerous.

That is a threat to the citizens of England and the citizens of Europe.

The games would have to be moved to another European country, ”said Lauterbach.

However, he spoke out against bringing Munich into play as a possible replacement location.

“It would be unfortunate if you made a proposal that would favor your own stadium and fans.

We would not be credible if we suggest to England that the games take place here instead, ”the politician said.

In Great Britain, the delta variant of the coronavirus discovered in India is currently spreading rapidly and is driving up the number of new infections significantly despite the high vaccination rate.

Two round of 16 games (June 26 and 29) are scheduled for the coming week at London's Wembley Stadium, followed by both semi-finals on July 6 and 7 and the final on July 11.

mik / dpa