Hertha Berlin defender Dedryck Boyata apologized for an up-close encounter with Marko Grujic but denied kissing his teammate after a German politician criticized players for breaching a hygiene protocol.
The German Bundesliga restarted on Saturday after a two-month break due to Covid-19 with clubs having agreed to draconian hygiene guidelines in a plan approved by the German government.
But Bavarian state minister Markus Soeder said he expected the league to "tighten up" instructions on how to celebrate goals after some players hugged with teammates.
Players were told to avoid contact when possible, especially when celebrating goals. That was ignored on a few occasions, though a repentant Boyata said he was simply uttering instructions to Grujic at a corner. The Belgium defender had appeared to kiss Grujic on the cheek before Hertha scored in a 3-0 win against Hoffenheim.
"I apologize for putting my hands on [Grujic's] face," Boyata, 29, said, claiming "it wasn't a kiss" or "a celebration" when he grabbed the Serbia midfielder. "I was giving him instructions about a set piece.
"We must definitely be careful now that we play under this situation," Boyota added. "We have to adapt our way to play or celebrate."
Hertha earlier this month suspended ex-Chelsea forward Salomon Kalou for posting a video of him shaking hands with teammates in the dressing room before training.
Also at the weekend some Borussia Monchengladbach players hugged after their team scored in a 3-1 victory at Eintracht Frankfurt.
Bayern Munich continue to lead the Bundesliga after a 2-0 win at Union Berlin.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Dedryck Boyata gets extra close to Marko Grujic. REUTERS
