Football without an audience: "A dystopia that is becoming more plausible"

2020-08-22T06:46:08.886Z

Bayern Munich inspires Lisbon with its way of playing football - in an empty stadium. So far, a show for fans. But it doesn't have to stop there, says the philosopher Wolfram Eilenberger.

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Goalscorer Lewandowski (2nd from left), teammates after scoring 3-0 against Olympique Lyon:The team seems to have leveled out

Photo: Peter Schatz / POOL / imago images

There were actually a few fans of FC Bayern Munich at the final tournament of the Champions League in Lisbon.

A dozen supporters came to the stadium in the São Domingos de Benfica district for the game against FC Barcelona. "I don't really know what we're doing here," said one of the group.

Because of the corona crisis, no spectators are admitted to the games in Lisbon. The men sat down on the sidewalk of an access road to the arena, presumably to be as close as possible to the team. The match, which took place less than 200 meters away, they followed on their cell phones.

Football in Corona times appears dreary to many people. And the great void has never been more oppressive than at the Champions League showdown in Lisbon. The best teams in Europe gathered in great weather in a great city to play the most important title in club football. But there was no football festival. Because tens of thousands of fans from the various clubs did not flock to the metropolis. Because there was no atmosphere in the arenas without fans.

More perspectives, more understanding.

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Source: spiegel

All sports articles on 2020-08-22