Health Minister Jens Spahn criticizes the behavior of Salomon Kalou. The Bundesliga concept must also be put into practice, he said. He welcomes the reaction of Hertha BSC.
Even after the video of Hertha professional Salomon Kalou, Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU) has no doubts about the hygiene concept of the German Soccer League (DFL).
“The basic concept makes sense and can also serve as a model for other professional sports areas. But then it has to be lived”, the politician said on Deutschlandfunk radio.
Therefore, he said, it was important that the Berlin club also drew conclusions after this video. “And I hope that everyone has now understood that this is about something,” Spahn continued.
Kalou suspended after video
Kalou had published a video on Facebook the day before. This showed, among other things, how his teammate Jordan Torunarigha is being sampled for a corona test. In addition, the 34-year-old had recorded conversations in the dressing room with team-mate Vedad Ibisevic, among others.
During the video sequence, Kalou repeatedly shook hands with other players or club employees, thereby violating the DFL’s guidelines in its concept. Kalou was suspended by Hertha BSC on Monday.
Politics will decide on continuation of Bundesliga
At a conference on 6th May, Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) is due to decide with the Minister Presidents whether and – if so – when the Bundesliga and the 2nd Bundesliga will be allowed to resume playing despite the corona pandemic.
To this end, the DFL has drawn up a hygiene concept with series tests for all 36 professional teams, which has been examined by Spahn’s ministry and the Ministry of Labour, among others.
Spahn also called the Bundesliga an “export hit”. It was clear, he said, that the tests would initially be used for the health care system. And if there was anything else, tests could also be done in the Bundesliga.
“Then I think it makes sense in professional sport to get into a new everyday life step by step. But it must also be lived.” The clubs must be able to guarantee that.