Leipzig v Liverpool Champions League game to be played in Budapest

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - DFB Cup - Third Round - RB Leipzig v VfL Bochum - Red Bull Arena, Leipzig, Germany - February 3, 2021 RB Leipzig coach Julian Nagelsmann REUTERS/Annegret Hilse

(Reuters) - RB Liepizig will play Liverpool in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie in Budapest after German authorities denied the English side entry into the country due to COVID-19 protocols, UEFA said on Sunday.

RB Leipzig were due to host Juergen Klopp's side on Feb. 16 at the Red Bull Arena but Germany has banned all arrivals from areas affected by COVID-19 mutations until at least Feb. 17, with the only exceptions made for German citizens or residents.