The Bundesliga derbies Borussia Mönchengladbach vs 1. FC Cologne and Borussia Dortmund vs FC Schalke 04 will be played behind closed doors because of the coronavirus outbreak. The decision was made by the respective authorities earlier today.

The Rhine Derby between Mönchengladbach and Cologne is scheduled to take place tomorrow evening. The City of Mönchengladbach released a statement regreting the inevitable decision. Lord Mayor Hans Wilhelm Reiners said: “We regret the latest developments, but we need to obey the orders by the state government, which certainly didn’t have an easy task in taking the decision.” He did also sympathise with the fans while adding: “I can understand the disappointment by the fans, who won’t be able to attend the traditional derby.”

The City of Dortmund has also opted to take precautions, while deciding to host the Revierderby (also known as Ruhr Derby) between Borussia Dortmund and FC Schalke 04 behind closed doors. The match scheduled to take place on Saturday is one of Europe’s biggest derbies.

Furthermore, the authorities have informed that the highly anticipated match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Bayern Munich would be also played without any fans at Dortmund’s SIGNAL IDUNA PARK.