Cologne (dpa) - The Handball Bundesliga (HBL) relies on further corona easing and plans the start of the new season with spectators. The league wants to have developed a corresponding concept by mid-June.
"Of course we also look a lot at the concepts of footballers and basketball players. But the supreme discipline is to work out a concept with spectators," HBL Managing Director Frank Bohmann told the German Press Agency. Since the HBL clubs, unlike the Bundesliga soccer teams, rely much more on spectator and sponsorship income, HBL hopes for games in partially filled halls for the targeted start of the season.
"As of today, I assume that we will be able to play with spectators at most locations, regardless of whether we can start in September or October," said Bohmann. Given the tight schedule, the 55-year-old is skeptical whether the World Cup scheduled for next January in Egypt with an HBL season start can only take place in October. "We have already told the IHF that we should be informed in good time should the World Cup be relocated," said Bohmann. "It would be blue-eyed to say that the World Cup will definitely take place in January."
Handball Bundesliga table
Chronological schedule of the Handball Bundesliga
