“Intensive work” on Bundesliga ghost games – Sky Sport Austria

Even in Austria’s Bundesliga, ghost games are the only chance to end the season despite the Corona crisis. “I am convinced that we can play such games if we all want (…),” said Salzburg sports director Christoph Freund on Sunday in an ORF roundtable. “We are working intensively on this.”

Whether the prospect of games without viewers will be implemented depends primarily on the federal government. “We do not need to discuss this beforehand,” said Siegmund Gruber, President of league leader LASK, in the round of “Sport am Sonntag” broadcast. From his comments, there was a slight skepticism about the ghost games – not only with the necessary tests (“Should also have to test in training”), but also with regard to the – possibly – tight schedule: “Keep two weeks of preparation and subsequent English rounds me not.” Because then the injuries would be “immense”.

Freund brought the role of football as a distraction into play. “Football is certainly not above the health of the population,” he clarified, but also said: “We are convinced that we can give society and fans the most in difficult times if we can keep them entertained.” With this he came across a slight contradiction at Gruber. “I find it difficult when the playgrounds are closed, which kids are not allowed to get out yet. We would then be privileged as professionals to stand outside on the pitch. This is difficult to convey socially and politically, ”said Gruber.

The protagonists will get more clarity in the next few days. On Wednesday, the ÖFB Presidium will give a video conference on how to proceed in connection with the coronavirus pandemic, i.e. also the way forward in the top leagues and in relation to the ÖFB Cup final. If the championship was abandoned, in the absence of a clear regulation, the Presidium would have to decide with a 2/3 majority whether the Master would be free and where the international starting positions would be allocated. The question of relegation, however, seems to be settled – at least when it comes to lawyer Peter Vogl. The honorary president of the SV Ried and ex-Salzburg managing directors explained in the ORF that there could be no relegation in the event of a termination. Thus, a possible other solution would have to be discussed in terms of sports policy to enable promotion from the second division – for example by increasing the upper house.

For Gruber, who is one of three BL representatives on the ÖFB Presidium, a lot depends on the legal opinion that the ÖFB has commissioned and that should reflect all the legal consequences of a termination. “It will be the essential basis for the decisions,” confirmed ÖFB President Leo Windtner. Gruber, who is entitled to vote (“It will be available on Tuesday or Wednesday”), wants to let his own statements be guided above all by it and not only by his love for LASK.

(APA)

Article picture: GEPA

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