Munich (AP) - DFB chief physician Tim Meyer advises cautious opening in the debate about the return of spectators to the football stadiums.
"A controlled, responsible influx of spectators is also something good for society," said the team doctor of the German national soccer team in an online seminar at the Technical University of Munich.
"You should try this in very cautious, small steps, because it could ease society," said Meyer. This could also be of use for events with spectators away from football, for example in culture. The 52-year-old also pointed out that the health ministers of the federal states had recently refused to allow fans to return to the Bundesliga stadiums at least until October 31.
As head of a task force, Meyer was responsible for the strict hygiene concept that was recognized worldwide and with which the season of the Bundesliga and 2nd league could be played to the end. The considerations for the next season are not yet completely approved: "We hope that it will happen in the coming days."
The leading German Olympic doctor Bernd Wolfarth called the number of infections in German competitive sport in the past six months very manageable. An increased risk for competitive athletes is not evident. He called the cancellation of the Olympic Games in Tokyo and its postponement in the coming year a decision without an alternative, which was also not too late.
Meyer reported that there was still an informal exchange every Friday with colleagues from the world football association FIFA, the European Football Union UEFA and the International Olympic Committee. He jokingly spoke of the "red wine for the weekend".
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 200820-99-245000 / 2
Facts about Tim Meyer
DFB profile for Tim Meyer
Information on the task force and the cast
Facts about Bernd Wolfarth on the Charité homepage
Facts about Bernd Wolfarth in a message from the German Society for Sports Medicine and Prevention