Christian Donbeck is angry.
Although the state government allows indoor sporting events with 200 spectators again, the manager of the Tölzer Löwen is considering legal action if the number is not corrected upwards.
In a letter to Prime Minister Markus Söder, a number of Bavarian professional sports clubs demand equality with other companies.
Bad Tölz
- Normally, the Tölzer Löwen have already had several weeks of ice training in their legs, have already completed their first test matches and are about to start the season.
This year?
In Corona times?
Nothing like that.
The start of the season has been postponed to November 6th, so far no preparation, neither ice training nor tests, players and those responsible are in the air.
Instead, in response to the 200 spectator limit for indoor sports events, they have just sent a letter to the Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder.
Content of the paper: the demand for equality with other companies.
“I don't understand the regulation,” says Christian Donbeck.
"In shopping centers or in thermal baths there are often several thousand people - without far-reaching hygiene regulations," says the Löwen boss.
The second division ice hockey team, on the other hand, has developed an extensive concept for tracking people, distance regulations, hall ventilation and coordination of entrances and exits for the Tölzer ice rink.
Donbeck would not even be averse to the use of FFP2 masks.
"Where is the equal treatment?"
Immediate reply requested
He would like the state government to respond satisfactorily to his letter.
If that fails, he will consider taking the steps to the administrative court.
"We are also a company, have customers and investors, and as managing director I have to avert damage to the company." That would definitely happen if the start of the season was postponed even further or if the season was canceled or the games had to take place in front of empty stands .
The lions are not alone in their anger.
Other Bavarian ice hockey clubs such as Straubing, Kaufbeuren or Ingolstadt, including volleyball players (Vilsbiburg), basketball and handball players, are dissatisfied with the regulation that came about under pressure from the Bavarian Football Association (we reported).
Donbeck suspects they would also take legal action.
He is hoping for a prompt response, preferably by next week.
Because his hands are tied at the moment.
The Lions cannot schedule test games - Bayern league clubs such as ESC Geretsried start their preparations at the weekend.
Games in front of 200 spectators would be a financial debacle for the Lions.
The only match that is already planned is a sequence game on October 9th or 10th against a Bavarian team, in which the hygiene concept is to be checked.
No training, no test matches, start of the season uncertain
The Löwen players are in the starting blocks, but are currently not even going on the ice to train.
“As long as we don't know definitely when the game will start, the players will continue to prepare individually,” assures Donbeck.
Considerations to possibly expand the roster are currently on hold.
In addition, getting equipment - a six-figure cost factor - currently also makes no sense.
For months Donbeck has been increasingly concerned that his company Tölzer Ice Hockey could go to the dogs due to the pandemic and the political reactions to it.
The time to wait is long gone, says the lion boss, noticeably soured.
“We need a decision as to whether we can play economically or not.
We now have to go to work aggressively. ”If he achieves a useful reaction, all the better.
"If it does not happen, we know that politicians don't care," says the TEG managing director.
"But then we'll just go the other way."
