No spectators in the stadiums: DFL is humble - only Rummenigge still hopes

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At least a few folders are allowed in

The German Football League has accepted politicians' provisional rejection of the fans returning to the stadium at the start of the Bundesliga season without complaint. "The DFL has always emphasized that containment of the coronavirus must have the highest priority. It therefore of course respects the position of the health ministers from the federal and state levels in the current situation," said the umbrella organization of German professional football on Tuesday. "On the part of the DFL there were and still are no demands regarding the time of admission or the number of stadium spectators."

The health ministers of the federal states had unanimously agreed at their conference on Monday that opening the stadiums to fans by October 31 was not to be endorsed in view of the current corona situation. The DFL had previously developed a concept for partial admission of viewers at the beginning of the 2020/21 season on the third weekend in September. This initially envisages the return of a reduced number of fans without standing room, without alcohol and without guest trailers.

Regardless of the setback, the league wants to continue planning for games in front of spectators. "It should be the goal in all areas of life to strive for a return to normality with targeted concepts, step by step and always appropriate to the respective situation," the message said. "The DFL and the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 clubs will therefore continue to prepare as best they can for the return of stadium visitors."

"Because football is not fun without a spectator"

Bayern boss Karl-Heinz Rummenigge still hopes that fans will return to the stadiums soon. "We hope that, despite the initial negative reaction from politicians, at some point we will still be able to play with spectators again, because football is no fun without spectators," said the CEO of the German record champions in Munich. Rummenigge also brought up opening in small steps as a possible solution.

"Maybe you have to think conservatively at the beginning that you don't have to let 25,000 into the stadium right away," said Rummenigge, suggesting that "maybe we could also slowly guarantee a so-called restart with spectators". "The important thing is to have trust in football. And I think football in Germany has proven that it can work with confidence," said Rummenigge. Football is able to "guarantee something under the specifications without it being a danger".

Fan alliance understands

The fan alliance "Our curve" has expressed its understanding for the political rejection of a return of spectators to the stadium at the start of the Bundesliga season. "For the time being, football will continue to be decoupled from the fans, but we as fans do not claim a special role. Health protection has priority," said 2nd chairman Markus Sotirianos.

"Our curve" had previously reacted with skepticism to the DFL's plan for partial admission of viewers from mid-September. This would be more like "going to the theater" and have nothing to do with fan culture, board member Jost Peter had commented on the planned restrictions the previous week.

aha / dpa