Neymar clapped into the empty stands before PSG v Borussia Dortmund

  • Kat Lucas

PSG fans were undeterred by their Champions League last-16 second leg against Borussia Dortmund being played behind closed doors. 

Parisians took to the streets outside the Parc des Princes in their thousands despite being told to stay away from the stadium due to fears about the coronavirus pandemic. 

Supporters welcomed the team bus with flares and put on some extraordinary scenes ahead of kick-off. 

They'd even pinned a 'Mbappe > Haaland' flag to the stands inside for good measure. Yet naturally, none of them were actually allowed in the ground as authorities try and combat the spread of the virus. 

That meant it was always going to be a strange atmosphere surrounding what should, on paper, be one of the most tantalising clashes of the knockout stages. 

In recent days, numerous players have spoken out about not wanting to play in front of empty stadia. 

It really is an unprecedented situation for Europe's top professionals, especially because nobody knows when it will be safe for fans to return in their numbers. 

Neymar couldn't help but make light of the situation once the Champions League anthem had been played by clapping into the empty stands. 

Cristiano Ronaldo made a similar move before Juventus vs Inter Milan, pretending to high-five mascots even though they weren't there.

On this occasion, the Brazilian soon put his game face on though and put PSG 1-0 up to hand them the advantage by away goals at the time of writing. 

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