Dortmund's Sancho, Akanji fined for haircuts without face masks

Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho and Manuel Akanji were fined by the German Football League (DFL) on Friday for failing to follow strict health protocols after the pair received hair cuts without wearing face masks.

"It is clear that pro players also need to get their hair cut. But that has to happen in line with the medical and hygiene concept," the DFL's statement read, per Reuters.

"The fines are not against the club which is not seen as having a responsibility in this case," the statement added.

Sancho and Akanji's actions were in violation of the DFL's regulations that governed the Bundesliga's return to play amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Sancho responded to the DFL's fine on Twitter, saying "Absolute Joke DFL."

The first-team duo were among six Dortmund players to receive a visit from a hairdresser.

"We have talked to all those involved and they assured us that all hygiene guidelines regarding visitors were adhered to. Only for the photo were the masks taken off. That is something that should not have happened of course," Dortmund sports director Michael Zorc said, according to Sky Sports.

The pair have been fined an unspecified amount and are both permitted to feature in Saturday's visit from in-form Hertha Berlin.

Sancho was in the news earlier in the week after he removed his kit in celebration of a goal at Paderborn to reveal a T-shirt that read "Justice for George Floyd," an unarmed black man who died in police custody.

The German Football Federation (DFB) announced shortly thereafter that Sancho, and others who display anti-racism messages, should not be punished for similar gestures.