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[Update 9:15AM EST]
Per the club website, Bayern Munich has fined Corentin Tolisso for his “tattoo controversy.” Tolisso was also left out of today’s squad due to his violation of the rules.
“We’re grateful that games can currently take place in the Bundesliga despite the ongoing coronavirus situation,” said Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. “A condition of that is that players, coaches and staff must adhere to the DFL’s hygiene concept in an exemplary manner. Corentin Tolisso has now contravened these guidelines, although our sporting and medical leadership continuously and clearly communicate them. We won’t tolerate violations like this. We will therefore hand Corentin Tolisso a heavy fine, which will be donated to charity.”
Sporting director Hasan “Brazzo” Salihamidzic also stated that there will be “a fine that he will feel” and that the money will be donated to a good cause (per Tz).
With Leon Goretzka and Javi Martinez felled by COVID-19, Bayern Munich midfielder Corentin Tolisso looked like he was in-line to pick up some much needed field time over the next two weeks.
In what will go down as one of the dumbest scandals of the COVID-19 Era, though, Tolisso has found himself in some hot water because he went out for a new tattoo.
Per Bild (behind the Bild+ paywall), Tolisso got a new tattoo at a time when athletes are being advised to limit many activities. To make matters worse, the tattoo artist, Cristian Marin, posted a since-removed video of himself performing the work on a mask-less Tolisso. Marin, himself, was reportedly also not wearing a mask in the video.
Simply put, the Frenchman just put his entire locker room at risk with that move.
Tolisso-NO! Amirite?
BFW Analysis
In fairness to Tolisso, he has been a model citizen on-and-off the pitch since joining Bayern Munich, but this misstep will not go over well in the offices at Säbener Straße, particularly because of the already thin midfield corps.
Whether this was a simple mistake or arrogance might not matter. During a season in which he has not been consistent, becoming an off-the-field distraction during a pandemic will not endear him to the club at a crucial time of the season.