Events with more than 1000 visitors should be canceled, says Jens Spahn. This is out of the question for EC Peiting - the play-offs are just around the corner.
Peiting - The ice hockey play-offs are just around the corner. For players and fans this means: hot duels, full spectator ranks, tension in the stands and on the ice. According to Sebastian Buchwieser, EC Peiting trainer, it is the "best time" of the year that is now beginning. The next division will meet the "Crocodiles" Hamburg from Friday, March 13th. The ECP will travel to the away game on Thursday and will be seen at home on Sunday. If everything works as planned.
Because there is still the recommendation from Health Minister Jens Spahn to cancel events with more than 1000 participants. This would also affect the play-off games. The “Crocodiles” have an average of 1482 spectators this season. In Peiting, on the other hand, there are only 761. However: In the play-offs, these numbers can skyrocket. "There are spectators who are not always there," says ECP Managing Director Peter Gast. On average, about 1200 fans came to the past play-offs.
Door handles and toilets are disinfected daily
Nevertheless, guest doesn't want to panic. "Many football stadiums are still full," he says. “You have to leave the church in the village. Otherwise nobody should be allowed to take the train. ”But the protection of the fans is taken seriously. In the Peitinger ice rink, all door handles and toilets are disinfected every day. "We do everything we can."
Just don't exclude the audience. According to the guest, that would not be in the hands of the club anyway. "Health authorities decide that," says Gast. Such as in Füssen, where the authorities ordered a “ghost game” because of the risk of infection. The clubs evaded, the game was played in Memmingen - with fans.
Health authorities see the organizer as responsible
There are no plans in the Weilheim-Schongau district office to make provisions for the ECP. Rather, press spokesman Hans Rehbehn hopes that the association will adhere to Spahn's recommendation, which also supports Bavaria's coronavirus crisis team. "The organizer is responsible," says Rehbehn. "And there is a clear recommendation to cancel events with more than 1000 spectators."
Or to let games take place without fans. Unthinkable for guest. "That would be a threat to the existence of the clubs," says the ECP managing director, who is also the spokesman for the top leagues and helps with the league management. The costs for the trips away and the venues could not be met without the income from the admissions. "No viewers? That is not possible! “The German ice hockey association will not prescribe ghost games either, says Gast.
Hamburg also wants to play
The people in charge of the "Crocodiles" also assume that the games will take place. "As of now we will play as normal," said press spokesman Tobias Bruns. "We will not cancel it on our own. But of course we have to wait and see how the city decides. ”Bruns is relaxed:“ I don't know that we are under surveillance. ”
So, like the Peitinger, the Hamburgers hope that the hot season phase will start on Friday. With spectators, of course. If there should be other decisions in the coming days and the fans would have to stay outside, there is only one consequence for Peter Gast and the ECP: "Then the games will be stopped." The best time of the year for ice hockey lovers would be.
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