Erfurt (dpa) - Thuringia's Minister of Sport Helmut Holter accuses the German Football Association in the dispute over the 3rd division for having ignored the opinion of politics.
During the corona pandemic in particular, it was important that sport and politics pursue a coordinated concept. "Unfortunately, this is not possible with the DFB," said Holter (Die Linke) on Deutschlandfunk.
Several clubs, including FC Carl Zeiss Jena, are resisting the decision announced on Thursday by the DFB to resume play in the 3rd division on May 30. The bottom of the table indicates that it is not possible to resume training and competition operations in Thuringia up to and including June 5, according to the available situation. In Saxony-Anhalt, where Hallesche FC is located, no team training is permitted until May 27th.
Here, the DFB is following its hard line, "and I can only regret that," said Holter, who, according to his own words, had a very good conversation with DFB President Fritz Keller. "I explained our position, which of course he was not pleased to note. We exchanged positions that differ," said the Thuringian Minister of Sport. The DFB then made the decision "without asking us again". Holter demanded equal conditions for all clubs. "Unfortunately, it is again the East German clubs that are losing out," he said.
Questions and answers on the 3rd division on the DFB homepage
Article and interview on Deutschlandfunk homepage