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Leipzig recently had to play the game against Bayer Leverkusen without a spectator
Photo: Roger Petzsche / imago images / Picture Point LE
German professional sport has been spared nationwide ghost games, but has to be prepared for severe spectator restrictions.
For the time being, the Bundesliga stadiums may only be used to capacity up to 50 percent - but capped at a maximum of 15,000 fans.
The same percentage rule applies to indoor sports with a maximum of 5000 spectators.
However, as expected, the results of the federal-state consultations on Thursday on the corona situation are not uniformly valid across Germany.
Because in addition to these minimum standards, the federal states are also entitled to stricter measures such as games in front of empty ranks - which Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and Saxony, among others, are expected to implement.
“We think ghost games make sense and will also implement this tomorrow in the Bavarian cabinet.
I think it's a shame and also bad that we couldn't agree that some federal states want to allow spectators, "said Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder:" At the ghost games, we want to do that from this weekend, otherwise it doesn't make any sense.
So for this year ghost games, next year you have to see what the infection situation is. "
The top politicians unanimously agreed in their decisions that
medical masks must be worn.
In addition, only those who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered (2G) are allowed to enter the arenas.
In addition, a current test (2G-Plus) can be prescribed for the audience.
Further measures are possible - even if the wording is vague.
"In countries with a high incidence of infections, events must be canceled if possible and sporting events held without spectators," says the decision paper.
Understanding on the part of the functionaries
Before the top Bundesliga match on Saturday between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich (6.30 p.m., TV: Sky, live ticker: SPIEGEL.de), BVB managing director Hans-Joachim Watzke expressed his understanding for the measures.
"All those responsible in football are of the opinion that we need a significant reduction in the number of viewers in this phase of the pandemic," said Watzke on Thursday: "For reasons of infection protection and as a sign of society."
The clubs had already prepared themselves for restrictions in advance.
Dortmund had canceled the sale of tickets for the top game.
Borussia Mönchengladbach took the same step.
Arminia Bielefeld, TSG Hoffenheim and Fortuna Düsseldorf stopped ticket sales, VfB Stuttgart prepared for ghost games.
In addition to football, other sports such as handball, basketball and ice hockey are also affected.
The decision on Thursday should provide some relief for those responsible, because the top of the leagues had expected some ghost games.
cev / sid