A quick return to Bundesliga action after the coronavirus shutdown would make a “mockery of the rest of society,” German fan groups have said, as officials hope to restart the league next month.
Borussia Monchengladbach beat FC Cologne 2-1 last month in Bundesliga’s first ever match played without fans — labelled “ghost games” in Germany. It was also the league’s final match before the season was suspended.
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On Wednesday, Germany extended its ban on large public events until Aug. 31, meaning that if football returns to the stadiums it will definitely be without fans for the remainder of the 2019-2020 season.
Several German fan groups have warned against returning to football too quickly and said that holding games behind closed doors next month and testing players for the virus would be hurt the efforts of medical staff and other essential workers during the pandemic.
“Quarantine for football, ghost games are no solution,” a statement published on several ultra groups’ websites said on Thursday. “The restart of football is unacceptable in the current situation, especially not under the pretext of social responsibility.”
“A speedy continuation of the season would be a mockery of the rest of society.”
The fan groups also added that the league should instead also think about cancelling the season.
Minister president of Bavaria Markus Soder refused to rule out further staging Bundesliga matches without fans after he held talks with chancellor Angela Merkel and other German politicans on Wednesday.
Soder also said that Germany’s leaders are now waiting to hear German Football League’s (DFL) plans on how to finish the season.
The DFL is set to hold a virtual general assembly on April 23 and the German government will announce new decisions, which could include those affecting Bundesliga, on April 30.