The Bundesliga has its first game canceled in the new year: Due to the sometimes heavy snowfall in Hamburg, FC St. Pauli’s home game against RB Leipzig in the Millerntor Stadium scheduled for Saturday was canceled. The DFL and the club confirmed this on Friday afternoon.
“Due to the current weather conditions with heavy snowfall and snowdrifts, the safety of the meeting place and the safe implementation of the event in compliance with all operating regulations cannot be guaranteed,” said the statement from FC St. Pauli.
President Oke Göttlich also said: “We did everything we could to be able to play the game against Leipzig.” Nevertheless, “the situation has not been sufficiently and permanently defused.”
“The safety of the spectators, the teams, the officials and all travelers and external service providers is at the forefront of this decision.”
Club employees and other helpers were in constant use over several days to repeatedly clear snow and ice from the playing field, stands and traffic areas – sometimes from scratch several times, the club explained. “However, this proved to be almost impossible, particularly on the roof surfaces.”
In addition, the authorities made an “express recommendation” to cancel the event, citing the additional burden on emergency services, the medical infrastructure and the ongoing significant risks and restrictions in the traffic area.
Storm “Elli” is keeping Hamburg in suspense
The storm “Elli” has the Hanseatic city firmly in its grip. On Thursday, Bundesliga basketball team Hamburg Towers had already canceled its BBL game on Saturday. The Inselpark Arena was closed due to the snow and ice load on the roof. There was an official severe weather warning from the German Weather Service (DWD) for the whole of Hamburg on Friday.
School lessons were canceled in the Hanseatic city due to the predicted stormy weather with gusts of up to 70 kilometers per hour. The Hamburg Football Association (HFV) canceled all amateur games on Wednesday up to and including Sunday.
