The corona virus has a firm grip on the sports world. Games are held in camera or not at all. An overview of the current developments.
The Bundesliga paused, the sport stopped. The reason is the corona virus, the spread of which is to be contained by this drastic measure. The t-online.de news blog contains all the important information about the latest developments. Large messages are dealt with separately
++ All current developments around the corona virus in sport ++
March 16, 9:49 a.m .: Report: Hertha legend Pantelic infected with coronavirus
Former Bundesliga club Hertha BSC striker Marko Pantelic is said to have been infected with the corona virus, according to media reports. The current vice president of the Serbian football association is said to have been infected during a trip to the Dutch capital Amsterdam. According to Serbian media, Pantelic is in domestic quarantine in Belgrade and is in good health.
March 16, 8:39 am: Union professional Gentner does not see a forced break as a vacation
Football professional Christian Gentner from 1. FC Union Berlin is “far from making the whole thing panicky” with regard to the coronavirus pandemic. In an interview with “Kicker” (Monday), the 34-year-old gentleman also said that he “not only takes note of it on a business basis”. “It is an exceptional situation.”
According to the previous plan, the Unioners want to resume the joint training on Friday. The game operations in the 1st and 2nd Bundesliga should be suspended until April 2nd. According to a decision by the Berlin Senate, it is forbidden to play in the capital until April 19.
“It is definitely not a vacation. We have to use the time to get a little distance and spend time with the family,” said Gentner. “Professionally, there is news every day. Who knows what is coming. In private, it is not yet so far that I avoid restaurants or keep my distance,” said Gentner.
March 16, 8:20 a.m .: RB Leipzig cancels general assembly
The raging corona virus crisis has led to further cuts for Bundesliga club RB Leipzig. The club had to cancel the general meeting planned for last Saturday at short notice. That reports the “picture” (Monday). According to the report, club boss Oliver Mintzlaff even called a majority of the members himself. RB currently has 19 members. In addition, 400 sponsoring members were invited to the event, but they have no voting rights.
March 15: World Champion Benedikt Höwedes plays despite the coronavirus pandemic
Former German international Benedikt Höwedes is one of the few German football professionals who is still active on the pitch despite the coronavirus pandemic. The 32-year-old former FC Schalke 04 defender won on Sunday evening with his club Lokomotive Moscow 3-1 (3-0) in the first Russian Premjer league away from Rostov.
Höwedes played through in his club’s twelfth win of the season. Moscow is second in the table, nine points behind Zenit St. Petersburg. In the Russian league, fans are still playing in the stadium.
March 15: French soccer series champion stops training
The French football series champion Paris St. Germain will cease training for the indefinite period of the corona pandemic. This was announced by the club around the German coach Thomas Tuchel and the two national players Julian Draxler and Thilo Kehrer on Sunday. The suspension will come into effect on Monday, with new information expected on Wednesday. All other departments of the club are also affected by the training stop.
In France, after several government orders, public life has almost come to a standstill. Restaurants, bars and cafes are supposed to close, and most shops are also closed. As in almost all European leagues, games in Ligue 1 will be suspended. The last competitive game for PSG was 2-0 in the second leg of the second leg of the Champions League against Borussia Dortmund last Wednesday.
March 15, 6:52 p.m .: DOSB boss does not believe in a quick Olympic decision
DOSB President Alfons Hörmann does not believe in a quick decision in the discussion about hosting the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. “It will not come to a final clarification in the next few days. I am unable to assess what the global situation will look like in two months. Then a final decision will have to be made,” said Hörmann in the “ARD sports show”.
In view of the corona pandemic, however, he will not cling to the scheduled date for the Olympics (July 24 to August 9). Currently, “there is a very open discussion about conceivable alternative scenarios. On Wednesday there will be a conference with all European associations on the part of Thomas Bach,” said Hörmann, who sees a basic question: “Can the games be implemented? Is this the responsibility?”
Japan recently announced it would continue preparing for the Summer Games despite the ongoing Corona pandemic. In the ARD daily topics last Thursday, IOC President Bach admitted “serious problems with the qualification competitions”. Hörmann promised “flexible solutions” on this question.
In this context, Hörmann emphasized that the health of everyone is always in the foreground. “Sport is forced to be a minor matter. Now it’s about human survival, not the question of some gold medals,” he said.
March 15, 6:31 p.m .: Special permit for HSV and St. Pauli
In Hamburg, due to the spread of the corona virus, all sports on sports grounds, in sports halls, as well as in fitness studios and comparable facilities are now prohibited. An exception applies only to the training of professional footballers from HSV and FC St. Pauli, as well as to athletes who have to prepare for the Olympic Games, for example, according to a statement by the Ministry of the Interior and Sports on Sunday. “Corona expansion poses great challenges to our community. To curb and slow the spread, all other interests, including sports, must be subordinate,” said sports senator Andy Grote.
March 15, 2:56 p.m .: Athletes with millions of euros should support others
DOSB President Alfons Hörmann has spoken out in the course of the corona virus pandemic for a solidarity fund of top earners in professional sports. This was said by the head of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) of the German press agency on Sunday. “In a crisis like the one we have now, a high degree of personal responsibility and a high degree of solidarity are required, especially among our society’s role models,” added the 59-year-old.
In concrete terms, he could imagine that athletes with salaries in the millions help to preserve other livelihoods. “That is why I see the top earners in sports as having a special responsibility to actively help their clubs and their employees,” said Hörmann. In addition, one should actively support nurses, doctors and nurses. “All of us must now look at their welfare!” Hörmann appealed.
March 15, 2:23 pm: Basketball player leaves club because of corona crisis
The corona crisis prompted basketball professional Kaza Kajami-Keane to leave Bundesliga club MBC Weißenfels with immediate effect. As the club said, the Canadian “worried about the increasingly tough entry requirements in his home country and less and less flight options”. The contract with the 26-year-old, one of the top scorers of the MBC with more than 15 points per game, was canceled.
The Basketball Bundesliga (BBL) has decided to interrupt the league “until further notice” and continues to pursue the goal of ending the season. When to play again is unclear.
March 15, 1:22 pm: President of Halleschen FC with a positive test
The president of the third division club Hallescher FC, Jens Rauschenbach, has tested positive for the new corona virus. As the club announced on Sunday, Rauschenbach had also contracted Covid-19. After a trip to Austria with entrepreneurs from Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt, the HFC boss had complained of slight discomfort and, as a precaution, went to his home in quarantine.
“I deliberately avoided all contact – both with the team, the office and my colleagues on the board as well as in my professional and private environment. There is no risk of infection at the HFC,” said Rauschenbach. To rule out all risks, his wife has also been tested in the meantime – with a negative result.
March 15, 1:15 pm: “Life in a ghost town”
The German soccer professional Robin Gosens from the Italian first division club Atalanta Bergamo painted a terrifying picture of the situation in his adopted home. “As drastic as it sounds: We currently live in a ghost town. People are encouraged to stay inside. It’s very, very blatant,” said the defender of the Champions League quarter-finalist in the ZDF’s current sports studio.
“We can only leave the house if we have to do some shopping. Unfortunately, that can only happen with protective masks and gloves,” said Gosens. He himself is “doing well according to the circumstances”. Bergamo is located in the middle of the crisis region of Lombardy, which is particularly affected by the corona pandemic.
Gosens also described how quickly the crisis hit him and the country. “It wasn’t there ten days ago. You went out to eat as normal. In theory, you could have been infected there,” said the 25-year-old in the live section.
Gosens had reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League with Atalanta on Tuesday, for the club this was the greatest success in the club’s history. How to proceed is completely open. Serie A is currently suspended until April 2nd, and the premier class has also been stopped.
“If we start again on April 3rd, we have five catch-up games plus the Champions League,” said Gosens of the upcoming football problems. But these are far behind the social: “It is much more about the health of people. But the question is clearly how it will go on.”
March 15, 12:05 p.m .: Leverkusen-Macher advises to cancel the European Championship
Bayer Leverkusen’s soccer boss Fernando Carro believes that EURO 2020 will be canceled this summer. “It would be the best solution to postpone the European Championship. Then we would have gained a little time,” said the CEO of Bayer-Fußball-GmbH in the ARD sports show.
A meeting of the European Football Union (UEFA) is scheduled for Tuesday, which will deal with a possible cancellation or postponement of the pan-European final tournament in the summer.
“It is the best solution to finish the national competitions in the summer. I hope that the decision will come that way,” stressed Carro, “in the end the national leagues are the most important of all and we should finish them. No matter whether until June or July. ” The 55-year-old, born in Barcelona, is a member of the UEFA club competition committee.
March 15, 10:39 am: Paderborn manager: Corona patient Kilian on the mend
Defender Luca Kilian from Bundesliga soccer club SC Paderborn is on the way to recovery after being infected with the corona virus, according to Paderborn’s sporting director Martin Przondziono. “He really had problems with fever and chills for two days, but he’s feeling better now,” Przondziono said in an interview with the Süddeutsche Zeitung.
The Bundesliga rear light had announced the positive result of the U21 international injured for almost two months on Friday evening. The SCP was already in alarm mood because of the – ultimately negative – Corona test with trainer Steffen Baumgart. “It was an odyssey, I must have made a hundred calls. We set up a crisis team. The players were wide-eyed. They were afraid that we would have to stay at the hotel in Düsseldorf for two weeks,” said Przondziono.
As a precautionary measure, the SCP imposed a 14-day domestic quarantine on parts of its team on Saturday, the team doctor carried out 45 tests on players and employees, stopped training until further notice and closed the office and fan shop. “Those who have to stay at home are doing well, so we have no health problems except for Luca,” said Przondziono, who expects the test results “later this week”.
As long as the players are required to keep fit individually. “Everyone took a few dumbbells and fitness equipment. The spinning bikes will be delivered to the boys who are at home on Monday. Two weeks is a tough time from the head. But at least they have the opportunity to keep fit And they will be tested again in two weeks, “said Paderborns sports director.
March 15, 10:39: Ex-DFL President Holzhäuser does not see Bundesliga threatened due to Corona
Former President of the German Football League (DFL), Wolfgang Holzhäuser, does not see the existence of the Bundesliga threatened by the suspension of play due to the corona pandemic. “The league has a problem that seems manageable,” said wooden houses of the “Rheinische Post” (Monday edition). In his opinion, the economic damage in the Bundesliga should be “limited”, especially since the income from the tickets only made up 13 percent of the total income.
The so-called Kirch crisis of 2002 was from the point of view of the former DFL boss “more existential” than the coronavirus crisis. “Rights holders like Sky or sponsors should trust that the failed games will still be caught up,” said Holzhäuser.
March 15, 10.12 a.m .: Berlin Senate decides to take a longer break from “sports” – apparently also affecting Hertha BSC and Union Berlin
Even before the crisis meeting of the German Football League on Monday, a longer Bundesliga break than before April 2 is obviously inevitable. At least in Berlin, according to a Senate decision, professional football cannot be played until April 19 due to the coronavirus crisis.
As the authority decided at the weekend, “sports on and in all public and private sports facilities, swimming pools, gyms, etc. are prohibited”. Until April 19, exceptions only apply to cadre athletes who are preparing for the Olympic Games or sports with animals, provided that this serves the welfare of the animals.
If no exceptions are made for Hertha BSC and 1. FC Union Berlin, the games of Union on April 4 against Mainz 05 and on April 18 against Schalke 04 in the An der Alten Försterei stadium as well as the Hertha game against FC Augsburg not take place on April 11th in the Olympic Stadium. It was initially unclear what the consequences of the regulation would be for the training operations of the clubs.
The German Football League convened a general assembly on Monday to discuss how to proceed. So far, it is planned to completely suspend the games in the Bundesliga and 2nd Bundesliga next weekend and start again on the first weekend in April after the following international break.
March 15, 0.15 a.m .: Cristiano Ronaldo will have hotels in Portugal converted into Corona emergency accommodation
Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo is currently in his Portuguese homeland. The attacker traveled to Madeira on Monday and wants to stay there after the positive test of his team-mate Daniele Rugani.
As the “Marca” reports, he will now have his hotels in Portugal turned into emergency shelters in the fight against the corona virus. These are located in Funchal on Ronaldo’s home island of Madeira and Lisbon. As the newspaper reports, the facilities should be available free of charge to his countrymen. The soccer star is to bear the costs for doctors and staff himself.
Only on Thursday Ronaldo had addressed all those affected by the corona virus. “The world is in a very difficult moment that requires the utmost care and attention from all of us,” wrote the world football player on Instagram. He does not speak as a footballer, but as a person who is touched by the latest developments that affect the whole world. “The protection of human life must be above all other interests,” Ronaldo said.
March 14, 6.40 p.m .: Positive test with second division professional from Kiel – team in quarantine
Center-back Stefan Thesker from the second division club Holstein Kiel was the next professional to be tested positive for the corona virus. The club announced on Saturday. As a result, “the entire team and their families were ordered to be quarantined at home for 14 days,” it said.
The former U21 international Thesker is the fifth known case in German professional football. Previously, Timo Hübers, Jannes Horn (both Hannover 96) and Fabian Nürnberger (1. FC Nürnberg) had tested positive in the 2nd division. In the Bundesliga, the positive test by Paderborn’s Luca Kilian also became known on Friday.
Stefan Thesker: The second division professional from Kiel has tested positive for the corona virus. (Source: Zink / imago images)
March 14, 7:32 p.m .: Men’s World Curling Championship canceled
After the women’s curling world championship, the men’s title fights were also canceled. This was announced by the World Curling Association. The tournament was supposed to take place in Glasgow from March 28th to April 5th. The loss of title fights will also affect the qualification procedure for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.
March 14, 7:21 pm: Lionel Messi: “Act responsibly now”
World star Lionel Messi, like his Portuguese colleague Cristiano Rolando, uses social media to appeal to his fans during the coronavirus crisis. The Argentinian called on his Instagram profile, which is followed by more than 144 million people, to implement the instructions of the authorities to protect risk groups. “Health must always come first,” said the 32-year-old. It is an exceptional situation “and you have to follow the instructions of health organizations and authorities. This is the only way we can effectively combat it.”
It is important to act responsibly now and to stay at home. “It is the best opportunity to enjoy time with your loved ones,” he wrote under a photo that shows him with two of his three sons.
March 14, 7:05 pm: Now ten infections in Serie A
The number of confirmed corona infections in the Italian Seria A has risen to ten. On Saturday Fabio Depaoli was the sixth Sampdoria Genoa player who tested positive. Previously, Omar Colley, ex-HSV professional Albin Ekdal, Antonino La Gumina, Morten Thorsby and Manolo Gabbiadini had been hit. The team doctor was also infected.
AC Florence, where Patrick Cutrone and German Pezzella tested positive on Saturday, is also badly affected. The team’s physiotherapist was also found to be infected. Her teammate Dusan Vlahovic had previously caught the virus.
March 14, 6:57 p.m .: Second division president demands rescue fund from football professionals
Aue President Helge Leonhardt anticipates a complete demolition of individual leagues and has brought into play a “Corona rescue fund” initiated by professional footballers. “It is important that our workers, people who scrub in the nursing service, have priority. The football players are cushioned. They should make compromises,” said Leonhardt at “Sport im Osten” in the “MDR”.
Leonhardt also said that many of his professionals had not fully grasped the situation. “I pointed out the seriousness of the situation to the team. The situation is very difficult. We have an invisible enemy.” At the moment, however, the entrepreneur is more concerned with the well-being of his other employees than with the football professionals. “We are a big taxpayer in the Ore Mountains, a commercial enterprise. It doesn’t have a priority whether eleven people go to the ball down there. That is absolutely subordinate.”
March 14, 3:15 p.m .: Union bosses from England and Italy speak up
Greg Clarke, president of the English football association FA, apparently does not believe that the Premier League season will end regularly. Clarke shared this view, according to media reports from the league. The Premier League had suspended gaming operations until Friday at least April 3 after a crisis session due to several prominent Corona cases. The English FA and the English Football League (EFL) with the second-rate championship as well as League One and Two (3rd and 4th league) followed this decision, as did women’s football on the island.
Italy’s association president Gabriele Gravina said otherwise. He ruled out that the championship 2019/20 in A would be canceled at the current status and declared to be over. Some clubs had requested this.
“Our main goal is to finish the championship according to plan according to the general situation in Italy,” said Gravina in an interview with the Roman daily “Il Messaggero”.
Gravina, however, did not rule out playing the championship title in play-offs. “This solution could be useful in the current situation. It could be an exciting end to a season that cannot be stopped,” said Gravina. Due to the spread of the corona virus, the Italian government has suspended all sporting events in the country until April 3.
March 14, 12.35 p.m .: Now nine infections in Serie A
The number of confirmed corona infections in Italian Seria A has risen to nine. According to the club, two football players from AC Florence, Patrick Cutrone and German Pezzella, tested positive on Saturday. The team’s physiotherapist was also found to be infected.
Her teammate Dusan Vlahovic had already been tested positive, as were the players Omar Colley, Albin Ekdal, Antonino La Gumina, Morten Thorsby and Manolo Gabbiadini from Sampdoria Genoa. The team doctor was also infected.
The case of Juventus defender Daniele Rugani was announced as the first infection in top Italian football on Wednesday.
March 14, 12:05 p.m .: RB Leipzig releases players
After the game against SC Freiburg canceled due to the corona virus crisis, Bundesliga soccer team RB Leipzig initially released its players. After a training session on Saturday morning, the professionals got free for Sunday and Monday. From Tuesday to Thursday they should keep fit with individual running plans. “From Friday training will be back to normal. Then we will prepare for the game against Hertha,” said sports director Markus Krösche in a conference call on Saturday.
As of today, Leipzig will play Hertha BSC on April 4th. However, the DFL general assembly meets on Monday and decides how to proceed. “We should aim to finish the season. You have to see the general conditions,” said Krösche. You have to act responsibly in the interests of everyone.
Krösche had informed the RB professionals about the measures on Saturday and given them a catalog of behavior. For example, players are prohibited from traveling abroad and have been advised to stay in Leipzig. “It is not isolation, but you should think about who you will meet with. Playstation can also be played against each other online today,” said Krösche. Players should also avoid department stores. In addition, training activities for young people are discontinued, the office works 80 percent from the home office. Short-time working is not planned.
March 14, 11:11 am: Other players tested positive
Two players from the French second division soccer team ES Troyes have tested positive for the corona virus. The club said. It is a player of the first team and an actor of the junior team.
According to the club, the two players were immediately sent home and put in quarantine. All club members are under “medical supervision”.
Already on Friday afternoon the Liga LFP had suspended game operations in Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 until further notice. In Germany, the Paderborn Bundesliga professional Luca Kilian (20), the Hanoverian second division players Timo Hübers (23) and Jannes Horn (23) and Nuremberg’s second division kicker Fabian Nürnberger (20) also tested positive for the corona virus.
March 14, 8:20 am: Argentina’s top club River Plate refuses to travel to the cup game
The Argentinian soccer record champion River Plate closed its facilities in the wake of the corona crisis, thereby underlining its refusal to compete against Atletico Tucuman on Saturday.
The club from the capital, Buenos Aires, announced that it had decided not to appear “for reasons of force majeure” and referred to the recommendations of the World Health Organization, various resolutions by the Argentine government and the city of Buenos Aires. The club’s facilities would be “closed indefinitely” as of Saturday.
In Argentina, national football operations continue to run behind closed doors – unlike in the top European nations England, Spain, Germany, Italy or France. The games of the Copa Libertadores, the South American counterpart to the European Champions League, and the South American qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup, on the other hand, have been suspended by the continental association CONMEBOL.
On Friday evening, the number of corona infected in Argentina was 34 (two deaths).
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