In view of the Corona crisis, ARD can also imagine the live broadcast of Bundesliga games – under certain conditions. ARD sports coordinator Axel Balkausky told the dpa news agency. “First of all, we have to wait and see if and when we play at all. And of course we respect the legal situation and the difficult situation that Sky and DAZN are currently in,” said Balkausky.
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The ARD is therefore interested if Sky, DAZN and the German Football League (DFL) are concerned with handing over their exclusive rights to the live broadcasts. “Then, and only then, would we be available for discussions,” said Balkausky.
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Previously, former Bundesliga manager Willi Lemke had spoken in favor of the live broadcast of football ghost games on free-to-air television. “This would have the incredibly important effect that the run to the living room with Sky equipment would not take place. And people might not go to the stadiums and become infected there,” Lemke told the “Bild” newspaper.
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He does not expect Sky and DAZN to broadcast the planned ghost games completely free of charge if the Bundesliga continues, or to give away the rights to competitors such as ARD and ZDF: “The other stations would have to pay appropriately for this.”
Police union warns of crowds of fans
The police union (GdP) sees another danger if the games take place in the stadium without spectators. In an interview with the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung” GdP Vice Jörg Radek said that it was the DFL’s good right to work out a plan for the restart of the season. However, this “does not seem to consider all aspects,” said Radek.
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It may be possible to control what is happening in the stadium, the unionist said. “This does not apply to the public space in front of it. The stadiums are becoming a potential target for fans who want to support their team. That would be devastating. During this pandemic, there must not be large crowds of people outside the stadium gates. This is not only prohibited, it would be irresponsible, “said Radek.
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If fans violate the requirements of the corona pandemic, the police must intervene “in the sense of compliance with security and order”.
The DFL considers it possible to continue the season without spectators from May 9th. However, it is still unclear when and by whom the DFL and the clubs can count on a binding decision.
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