Report: Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski could miss Poland’s World Cup qualifier vs. England

Per a new report from Polish outlet Onet Sport, Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski could miss out on Poland’s World Cup qualifier against England at Wembley stadium at the end of the month. This would also effect other Polish players from the Bundesliga as well.

German protocols require a quarantine period for people who have traveled to and from the United Kingdom. These regulations have already caused issues for Bundesliga clubs in European competition as well. For example, both RB Leipzig and Borussia Monchengladbach had to play their round of 16 first leg Champions League matches in Budapest, Hungary so that they wouldn’t have to quarantine for 14 days upon re-entry into Germany, which would cause them to miss Bundesliga matches and not be able to filed a full senior squad. For Leipzig’s case, UEFA has even fined Die Roten Bullen around €,1.5 million for not travelling to England for their second leg against Liverpool and it’s been decided that the second leg will also take place at the Puskas Arena in Budapest.

For Lewandowski, he obviously won’t want to miss Poland’s qualifier against England, but he might not have a choice unless the venue is changed to a neutral site outside of the U.K. Bayern Munich could also refuse to let him travel to that match if the venue isn’t changed, as they absolutely would not want to miss him for their April 3rd Bundesliga clash against Leipzig due to having to quarantine after getting back to Munich.

Technically, the club does not have to let any player leave to meet up with their national team if there’s a quarantine risk, so Bayern has every right to ask Lewandowski not to travel to England.

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Per the report, the general secretary of the Polish Football Association, Maciej Sawicki has been in constant contact with UEFA over the matter, though a compromise has not yet been reached. From Lewandowski and Poland’s perspective, hopefully they will be able to collect six points in their first pair of qualifiers during the international break against Hungary and then Andorra. If they are able to win both matches then not having Lewandowski and potentially Hertha Berlin’s Krzysztof Piątek for the England match might not be as big of a blow.