Munich – The match between Union Berlin and FC Bayern is now taking place in front of empty stands after all. Previously there had been criticism from politics and the Bundesliga.
The Bundesliga match between Union Berlin and FC Bayern on Saturday (Bundesliga: Union Berlin – FC Bayern, Sat. from 18:30) will now be played in front of empty stands after all.
As district mayor Oliver Igel confirmed to the rbb, the health department in Treptow-Köpenick has issued an order to that effect.
Already on Wednesday morning, Berlin’s health senator Dilek Kalayci had declared on 105’5 Spreeradio that the game would, according to her knowledge, “take place without spectators”.
On Tuesday, Union had also published a statement saying that the local authorities in Treptow-Köpenick had informed the club “that after extensive examination of the current risk assessment regarding the spread of the corona virus, they have decided not to issue an order excluding spectators for the home game on 14 March 2020”.
Union President Dirk Zingler had previously spoken out against sweeping decisions in the debate and warned of the economic consequences of ghost games: “We are being deprived of our business base.
Fortuna Düsseldorf demands equality of competition
However, the decision to play the game in front of spectators had been criticised from the worlds of sport and politics.
“We’re at a stage where we need a more unified approach. I am amazed at what is happening in Berlin at this soccer game”, Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn said on Deutschlandfunk radio.
Union rival Fortuna Duesseldorf complained of unequal conditions in the fight to maintain their position in the Bundesliga.
“This is unacceptable in view of a nationwide competition. The league is called upon to find binding rules. These must lead to a level playing field,” demanded Fortuna CEO Thomas Röttgermann at RP Online.
Other league games such as the district derby between Borussia Dortmund and Schalke 04 will definitely take place without fans. There is no uniform regulation by the German Football League (DFL).