Hoffenheim owner Dietmar Hopp says a coronavirus vaccine “could be available” by the autumn, providing human trials go ahead as scheduled.
Hopp has found himself in the German football headlines since the beginning of the year, with fans publicly protesting against his influence behind the scenes in the league.
The 79-year-old is the majority shareholder at the club with a 96 per cent stake, and his finances have helped the team become Bundesliga regulars.
Hoffenheim’s recent home game against Bayern Munich was stopped on two occasions, as staff removed banners taking aim at Hopp, one of which read: “son of a b*tch.”
German supporters believe that teams operating outside of the “50-1” rule which allow fans to retain a stake in their clubs are ruining modern football.
The Bundesliga has faced major disruptions for more urgent concerns recently, with the coronavirus outbreak causing delays to the 2019-20 season.
Hopp is also the main investor in biopharmaceutical company CureVac, who are working on a vaccine to put a stop to Covid-19.
When asked how long it will be before a vaccine is released, Hopp told Sport1: “That depends on the Paul-Ehrlich-Institute (the german institute for vaccines).
“It has to be tested first with animals and then with human beings. But I think it could be available in autumn at the time when possibly the next wave of infections will come.”
Hopp continued: “If we succeed soon to develop an effective vaccine against the coronavirus then this vaccine should reach, protect and help people all over the world and not only in one region.”
