The health ministers of the federal states will be discussing the measures taken by the German Football League to allow fans to be re-admitted to the Bundesliga stadiums on August 10th. Decisions are not expected. Concerns about fan return grow with the number of infections.
Frankfurt / Main (dpa) - The debate about the pros and cons of spectators returning to the Bundesliga stadiums for the new season continues.
The concept of the German Football League for a reduced return of fans without occupying the standing room, alcohol and guest fans as well as with personalized tickets has received a lot of recognition. At the same time, in view of the increasing number of corona infections, there are further criticisms and doubts from the federal, state and scientific communities. The health ministers of the federal states want to discuss the planned DFL measures on August 10.
Before the meeting, the Marburger Bund doctors' association expressed concerns about partial admission to viewers, including with corona protection requirements. "I can hardly imagine how football fans cheer a goal of their team two meters away," said chairwoman Susanne Johna of the German press agency. "When fans are in the stadium, they want to be together and celebrate together, which is humanly understandable," said the doctor and hygiene specialist. "In that sense, I'm more critical of that."
Virus expert Helmut Fickenscher, on the other hand, warns that the league start with spectators on the third weekend in September could increase the problems with the pandemic in the colder seasons. "In autumn and winter it is to be expected that the epidemic situation will worsen," said the director of the Institute for Infection Medicine at the University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein in Kiel of the dpa. At the same time, it will be difficult to differentiate between infections with the coronavirus and conventional colds and the flu. "That will make it more difficult to decide on appropriate relaxation in the sports area," said the doctor.
Basically, he thinks a limited return of fans to the games is possible. "With ten percent of the viewers, I suspect that they could leave that right away," said Fickenscher and added: On the other hand, it might be a beginning. "And based on this beginning, you can gain experience."
Admitting a small number of viewers would have a symbolic value, but hardly an economic one. According to a report by "Bild am Sonntag", Hertha BSC is thinking about completely foregoing visitors, especially since Berlin has an upper limit of 5000 people for major events until October 24th. "Too little for Hertha BSC," wrote the paper. In order to come to a black zero, at least 15,000 spectators would have to come, it was said in the "BamS" according to a club-internal Hertha bill.
The latest coronavirus cases at 1. FC Köln show how unpredictable and with what (infection) dangers the Bundesliga project is connected. Two players have tested positive, the club tweeted on Saturday. Both are in quarantine at home. On Saturday, the Cologne team stood together for the first time.
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