Professional sport in Germany has to come to terms with ghost games again. Out of concern about the Corona variant Omikron, the federal government decided to completely exclude viewers from December 28th.
How long this regulation, which was met on Tuesday at the federal-state summit, remained open at first. The first second round matches in the Bundesliga (from January 7th) are likely to be affected. Most recently, fans were at least partially permitted in some federal states.
Among other things, the “Corona Help Professional Sport” program was extended by the federal government and the federal states. This would have expired on December 31st.
DFL: “Regrettable, but understandable”
The German Football League (DFL) shows understanding for the decision. The restrictions are “regrettable, but understandable,” it said in a message. At the same time, the DFL called for people to be vaccinated or to have their vaccinations refreshed.
Second division soccer club Werder Bremen is expecting a loss of income of around 1.1 million euros per game. Nevertheless, Werder boss Klaus Filbry endorsed the measures: “Due to the expected dynamics that the Omikron variant will bring to the pandemic, we fully understand the decision of the politicians.”
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DEL and BBL in front of empty ranks after Christmas
Indoor sports, which are even more dependent on ticket income than football with its billion-dollar TV contract, are hit hard by the exclusion of fans. In the German Ice Hockey League (DEL), all games will take place in front of empty ranks on December 28, the Basketball Bundesliga (BBL) will be affected one day later.
DEL chief Tripcke: Many clubs are at risk
In the DEL, salaries are now often linked to the number of spectators, and corresponding clauses should “be drawn now”, as the league manager Gernot Tripcke confirmed: “The clubs will somehow get through the season, but many are really at risk for the future.” It is “extremely important that the corona aid for professional sports continues to flow,” said Tripcke – and to a greater extent: “It is not enough just to extend it.”
HBL is paused anyway, but what happens in February?
The handball Bundesliga (HBL) is lucky that after December 26th the game will be suspended until February 9th anyway due to the European Championship. Whether the fans will return by then is at least questionable.
AUDIO: HBL boss Bohmann: “A punch into the office” (1 min)
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HBL managing director Frank Bohmann said the break “sounds more comfortable than it is. We will have to adjust to difficult times.” However, a break in the season has never been as good as it is now. Already on this Wednesday there will be another “jour fixe” of the clubs to consult, he said.
