BAYERN MUNICH keeper Ron-Thorben Hoffmann has sensationally claimed he was forced to play with Covid-19 on loan at Sunderland.
The German stopper alleges that the Black Cats refused to treat him, demanding him be “tougher”.
Hoffmann was the Black Cats’ first-choice stopper in League One when he was struck down with Covid in early January, missing two games.
He then started four straight matches before not playing again for the rest of the season, returning to Bayern after Sunderland clinched promotion to the Championship.
The 23-year-old stopper was left “really scared” that he could have an inflammatory heart condition post-Covid like Bayern team-mate Alphonso Davies did.
Hoffmann said: “At the turn of the year I got infected and that changed everything.
“When I came back after seven days of quarantine, I went straight back in goal – although the quick test was still slightly positive.
“I had to play with Corona.
“I played three games, but felt worse from game to game. I had dizziness and a stabbing heart, as well as shortness of breath.
“The adrenaline kept me pumping in the first game because I was happy to be back in goal.
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“From the second game on, the symptoms became more severe, hardly anything worked.
“I told the club management that I can’t help the team at the moment and that I need to be examined more deeply. But that was taken the wrong way.
“There were no examinations of the heart or lungs after the infection. There was not even any more quick tests before the games.
“I wasn’t physically well, but the club wanted me to be tougher.”
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Sunderland have responded to Hoffman's claims saying they “categorically refute” the allegations, stating there were “a number of false and inaccurate claims”.
They added: “SAFC complied with all Government and EFL guidance and protocols fully throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and continues to ensure the health and well-being of all staff is protected at all times.”
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