Bayer Leverkusen v Rangers latest as Germany's Health Minister makes coronavirus call on 'gatherings of more than 1,000 people'

Bundesliga side is ‘monitoring advice’ on coronavirus

A general view of Bayer Leverkusen's BayArena stadium

Rangers could play the second leg of their UEFA Europa League last-16 tie with Bayer Leverkusen behind closed doors, with the Bundesliga side monitoring advice on the spread of coronavirus in Germany.

The two teams are scheduled to meet on Thursday March 19, a week after the first leg in Glasgow on March 12, but the country’s Health Minister Jens Spahn has called for gatherings of more than 1,000 people to be cancelled.

Nordrhein-Westfalen, the region that includes Leverkusen, has recorded the highest number of coronavirus cases in Germany.

Armin Laschet, the regional government leader, has indicated that the state intends to follow national advice. A a result, Borussia Dortmund’s home match with Schalke this weekend could be played in an empty stadium.

According to the BBC, Laschet said: “I will let the clubs decide if they want to play without spectators or if they prefer to not play at all.”

Dortmund’s trip to France to face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last 16 will be played behind closed doors but RB Leipzig’s home match with Tottenham Hotspur in the same competition will go ahead with fans in the stadium.