In North Rhine-Westphalia there are the first so-called ghost games in the Bundesliga. In Mönchengladbach and Dortmund, the derbies against Cologne and Schalke can only take place without an audience. Further orders in other cities are likely to follow.
Dortmund (dpa) - The district derby between Borussia Dortmund and FC Schalke 04 in the Bundesliga on this Saturday may only take place without an audience. The city of Dortmund decided this because of the rapid spread of the corona virus.
The city of Mönchengladbach had previously ordered the Rheinderby between Borussia Mönchengladbach and 1. FC Köln to take place this Wednesday (6.30 p.m.) only in camera. Also, the Bundesliga game of SV Werder Bremen against Bayer Leverkusen scheduled for Monday evening may only take place in front of empty ranks due to the novel corona virus.
It is expected that other municipalities in North Rhine-Westphalia will also take appropriate decisions in the short term. This is provided by the decree of the state health minister, which leaves the cities no more discretion, said Dortmund Mayor Ulrich Sierau (SPD). NRW Prime Minister Armin Laschet (CDU) had announced that he would follow the recommendations of Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn (CDU). Spahn had suggested that events with a size of 1,000 or more be canceled until further notice.
BVB must play its Champions League game at Paris Saint-Germain without an audience on Wednesday. "A game without spectators is unfortunately not pleasant for both teams. Nobody knows whether this is the right decision for football," said BVB coach Lucien Favre on Tuesday before leaving for Paris.
Dortmund's head of sports Michael Zorc also sees a need for discussion. "It is not yet thought through to the end," said Zorc. The loss of income in a home game without spectators, he estimated at least three million euros.
Bundesliga table
Bundesliga matchday
BVB announcement on the card situation in the Champions League game