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Bundesliga: health ministers discuss fans in the stadiums

2020-08-10T08:40:28.041Z


In the afternoon, the health ministers of the federal states will discuss the re-admission of spectators to the football stadiums. It is already clear beforehand that concerns grow with the number of infections.


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In the end only as cardboard figures: fans in the Bundesliga stadiums

Photo: 

Moritz MÃ'⬠"! .Üller / imago images / Moritz Müller

The debate about the pros and cons of returning spectators to the Bundesliga stadiums for the new football season continues. The concept of the German Football League (DFL) for a reduced return of fans without 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 in the afternoon.

"But we do not intend to take a decision on the hygiene concept of the DFL," said the Berlin health senator Dilek Kalayci (SPD), who chairs the conference of health ministers, the "Berliner Morgenpost". The idea that "among other things, all visitors can come back to the stadium after testing is viewed critically by the majority of the ministers." Especially because before and after the game nobody can rule out and control large crowds and alcohol consumption, "said Kalayci. The test capacities are also needed in many other areas - in schools, daycare centers, nursing homes, hospitals and for those returning from traveling." In my current assessment, professional football is not at the top of the health ministers' priority list, "said Kalayci.

"The risk of mass contagion would be real"

Before the meeting, the Marburger Bund doctors' association also expressed concerns about partial admission to viewers with corona protection requirements. It is difficult to imagine how football fans cheer for a goal from their team from a distance of two meters, said chairwoman Susanne Johna, the "Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung" (NOZ). "The risk of mass contagion would be real. If we are unlucky, there will be a super spreader among the fans and the virus will spread like wildfire."

Regarding the concept of the German Football League (DFL) presented last week for a reduced return of fans without occupying the standing room, alcohol and guest fans as well as with personalized tickets, Johna said: "The efforts of the league are more than understandable. But that I consider their concept to prevent contagion to be unrealistic. "

Virus expert Helmut Fickenscher also warns that the start of the league with spectators on the third weekend in September could increase the problems with the pandemic in the colder seasons. "In autumn and winter we can expect the epidemic situation to worsen," said the director of the Institute for Infection Medicine at the Schleswig-Holstein University Hospital in Kiel. 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 it alone," said Fickenscher and added: Perhaps on the other hand, it is "a beginning. And based on this beginning, you can gain experience."

Icon: The mirror

ara / dpa

Source: spiegel

All sports articles on 2020-08-10

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