The wait goes on. The BFV has postponed the restart of the amateur football leagues, but is increasing the pressure on the government.
- The restart of the amateur leagues has been postponed
- BFV President writes an open letter
- Game plan only after "Go" by the government
District - 1895 spectators followed the 1-1 draw between third division relegated Carl-Zeiss Jena and SV Babelsberg at the start of the season in the Regionalliga Nordost last week. The opening game of the league between Lok Leipzig and Hertha BSC II was even played in front of 3,115 fans. In Bavaria, however, no spectators are still allowed - at least officially. Because despite the prohibition imposed by the Bavarian state government, viewers look for and find gaps in order to be there at the football field.
Clubs with a public restaurant, such as TSV Altenstadt, are in a relatively comfortable location. Legally, the visitors who sit on the terrace and watch the football game from there are rated as guests of the restaurant and not as spectators. The Bavarian Football Association recently specified this in coordination with the Bavarian State Government. Pure club houses that are run by volunteers from the club and some of which have large open spaces far from the pitch, such as at SV Polling or ASV Habach, are not allowed to host guests.
Strollers lurk behind the fences
However, the fans cannot be completely excluded from football, even if, as in Peiting, for example, the sports grounds are simply cordoned off after all players, supervisors and referees are in the stadium. If the courts are right next to a street, and there are many of them in the region, after the start of the game, the interested "strollers" gather behind the fence to take a 105-minute break - including a quarter-hour break at half-time - during which they happen to be in Look towards the sports field.
However, this situation only has disadvantages for the clubs. Pictures in the newspaper with fans on the fence in the background look bad, and there is no way of observing distance rules. In addition, if the spectators were entertained during test matches, the clubs could certainly earn one or two euros. Which is a big problem in view of the large holes in the cash register as the clubs have not had any income since March. The situation will not change until further notice. The Bavarian Ministry of Health has extended the sixth Bavarian Infection Protection Measures Ordinance, which would have expired last Sunday, to September 2nd. This means that viewers remain officially excluded.
The sound becomes sharper
The Bavarian Football Association (BFV) has now reacted and postponed the restart to September 19. "We also have to give our clubs some time to adjust to the situation and take precautions - that doesn't happen overnight, so a decision as quickly as possible is desirable," emphasizes BFV President Rainer Koch. In an open letter he writes: "The ball is now in the political half of the game, it has to decide whether to play along or whether to keep you, our 4500 clubs, on the sidelines and thereby jeopardize your existence." The BFV demands that in front of spectators, albeit in limited numbers, be allowed. Accordingly, the association submitted a hygiene model concept to the responsible State Ministry of the Interior for Sport and Integration on August 13. This is based on that for the training operation.
A decision is expected on September 1, when the Council of Ministers meets for its next regular meeting. According to Koch, the concept can be transferred to all team sports with physical contact that take place outdoors. "We have shown a way how we can implement gaming operations with the highest level of health protection," Koch is quoted on the BFV website. Bavarian amateur football is ready to go. This is also emphasized by Heinz Eckl, chairman of the Zugspitze district. "It has to start now, otherwise too much will break."
Spectators are to be allowed for amateur soccer
This also applies to the topic of “games in front of fans”. “Nothing has changed in our basic attitude that amateur football doesn't work without a spectator,” assures Koch. The association as well as Eckl point out that up to 400 visitors are already admitted to cultural events in the open air. “So why not also with amateur football in Bavaria,” asks the district chairman.
In addition, the BFV does not prefer a one-size-fits-all solution for all games, rather the permissible number of spectators would have to be determined on the basis of the local conditions. “Clubs that have, for example, a grandstand with seats and can allocate seats or have a particularly spacious sports area should, in our opinion, also be able to allow more spectators,” says Koch. The time is ripe for the next step - also in amateur football.
The ASV Eglfing case does not change anything
According to Eckl, a case like the one at ASV Eglfing would not change anything: “Most clubs make an effort and abide by the rules.” Most clubs are waiting for the game plan. This will only exist as soon as the government gives the "go". "We have made a clear statement that no games will be scheduled as long as there is no green light," emphasizes Eckl. So the wait goes on.