If football fans are excluded, this is not an isolated phenomenon: it is to be feared that ghost games will largely be tacitly maintained
This pandemic brings limitations for almost every one of us. Freedom and fundamental rights are also included, and that goes beyond a personal area that is often highlighted when problems are to be shifted from the social to the individual level.
If football fans are completely excluded from ghost games, this is not an isolated phenomenon, and everything is fine on all other game days. Every weekend viewers have to reckon with constant restrictions, which mean that entire fan scenes have voluntarily stayed away from the games for almost two years. From name registration and personalized tickets to the elimination of standing space and restrictions on guest contingents to specifications on how the fan has to move around the stadium, everything is included. And we already experienced a lot enough before Corona.
Studies and surveys show that respondents feel increasingly monitored by the corona measures. No wonder. It is only logical that this discourages many fans from visiting the stadium. Clubs and associations have so far been silent on how to proceed with these restrictions after the pandemic. It is to be feared that they will largely be tacitly retained.
The new Justice Minister Marco Buschmann (FDP) said when he took office that the corona pandemic should not result in permanent restrictions. Impositions should not become the “new normal”, says the Justice Minister. As a football fan, one listens to it, even if it is not normally a burning concern of what is promised by the government. Buschmann has also announced that it will abolish illegal data retention without cause. He also wants to tackle a “surveillance accounting” and review the security laws.
We football fans are excited and in due course we will not only remind the Minister of Justice of his words, but also do everything we can to ensure that all restrictions do not become permanent. Every club, every association, should not only listen to the words of the Minister of Justice, but rather enter into a dialogue with the fans and be aware that we will not accept any new normalities for me or you. Because fan rights are civil rights.
“Sport free!” From the fan lawyer.
