Sports politician: questions remain over Bundesliga restart concept
(dpa)
Berlin (dpa) - Questions remain around Germany's concept for a Bundesliga restart amid the coronavirus outbreak, according to the chair of the nation's parliamentary sports committee, Dagmar Freitag.
"How transparent will possible positive test results be dealt with?" Freitag asked in Friday's edition of the Rheinische Post daily.
"Would the majority of the public accept that politicians may be willing to apply different standards to professional footballers than to ordinary people who must continue to live with contact bans?"
Freitag said she has doubts that a majority of the public would approve of footballers getting preferential treatment.
«There are even completely different opinions among fan groups. Overall, the impression could prevail that professional football can succeed in claiming special rights. That doesn't make the many discussions about corona any easier," Freitag said.
German politicians earlier in the week suggested that the currently suspended Bundesliga could resume next month, behind closed doors and with strict hygiene and general safety rules.
The German Football League (DFL) and federation (DFB) presented a detailed concept to the clubs on Thursday and it is now to be looked into by politicians and health authorities.
A final go-ahead would come from politicians. Lockdown measures are currently in place until early May, and Chancellor Angela Merkel is to discuss the next steps with the leaders of the federal states on April 30.
Freitag meanwhile also acknowledged that the concept itself doesn't deserve criticism because "it is about the interests of the clubs organized there."
"Would the majority of the public accept that politicians may be willing to apply different standards to professional footballers than to ordinary people who must continue to live with contact bans?"
Freitag said she has doubts that a majority of the public would approve of footballers getting preferential treatment.
«There are even completely different opinions among fan groups. Overall, the impression could prevail that professional football can succeed in claiming special rights. That doesn't make the many discussions about corona any easier," Freitag said.
German politicians earlier in the week suggested that the currently suspended Bundesliga could resume next month, behind closed doors and with strict hygiene and general safety rules.
The German Football League (DFL) and federation (DFB) presented a detailed concept to the clubs on Thursday and it is now to be looked into by politicians and health authorities.
A final go-ahead would come from politicians. Lockdown measures are currently in place until early May, and Chancellor Angela Merkel is to discuss the next steps with the leaders of the federal states on April 30.
Freitag meanwhile also acknowledged that the concept itself doesn't deserve criticism because "it is about the interests of the clubs organized there."