Full hut despite Corona? German football is forcing viewers to return (daily newspaper Junge Welt)

Union Berlin’s move is “not debatable,” it represents a “completely unnecessary risk.” This is the clear warning from SPD health expert Karl Lauterbach, who is not alone in his criticism. Because the plans of the Köpenickers to fully utilize the stadium despite the corona pandemic are heating people’s hearts.

“People plead with us every day to make sure they can come back,” said Christian Arbeit, Head of Communication at Union. The club recently went on the offensive and presented plans for a sold out old forester’s house. All 22,012 cardholders and employees are to be tested for the corona virus on match days, the club will bear the costs. For Lauterbach, who was critical of the plans of the football managers throughout the crisis, the project is not very convincing. He fears that people may be “already contagious” despite negative tests. If at all, partial opening is possible for him. It is up to the associations to develop such concepts.

The German Football Association is expected to push ahead with the plans, the Nations League start against Spain in Stuttgart (September 3) opens the season before the Bundesliga start (September 18). RB Leipzig is one step further thanks to a permit already issued by the health authority. 20,000 spectators, no standing room and a mouthguard requirement – these are the central points of the submitted hygiene concept.

The organized fans are skeptical about the plans for partial opening. The question is: who can go to the stadium and who can’t? That is also why Union says: all or nothing. Virologist Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit has little understanding for this, he recently warned of the major outbreaks in Italy and Spain, which were also exacerbated by football games with fans in the stadium. Based on this experience, Lauterbach also has great doubts – instead of the audience, nurses and educators should be tested. Union bears the cost of the tests, but he hardly believes “that the association will also cover the treatment costs of any infected people in the Charité.” (Sid / jW)