As the new coronavirus epidemic intensified in Germany, more and more competitions became “ghost races” without live audiences “. However, this move caused fierce controversy among clubs, head coaches, athletes and fans, and German football fell into a crisis of suspension.
Xinhua News Agency, Berlin, March 12 (Reporter Liu Wei) with the outbreak of the new Crown pneumonia getting worse in Germany, more and more competitions have become “ghost matches” without live audiences “. However, this move caused fierce controversy among clubs, head coaches, athletes and fans, and German football fell into a crisis of suspension.
On the 11th, the Bundesliga ushered in the first “ghost match” affected by the epidemic. Deb confirmed the first professional athlete infected with the coronavirus, and the De C League was suspended. The epidemic continues to deteriorate. According to the latest data released by Robert Koch Institute (German Agency for Disease Control and Prevention) on the 12th, 2369 people in Germany have been diagnosed with infection. German football still seems to have a little fantasy-even if it is empty, it will continue the season to the end. However, this wish may not last long and will be “bankrupt”.
First of all, “Ghost match” did not fundamentally solve the problem of fans gathering. On the 11th, the Champions League match against Dortmund at home in Greater Paris was empty, but thousands of fans cheering for the home team gathered outside the Prince Park stadium, which completely violated the original intention of the “ghost match. If the ghost race continues in Germany, similar absurd drama will continue. Even if the fans cannot watch the game in the field, they may gather to watch the game outside the stadium, bars, ball bars and other places.
Second, the Bundesliga league’s reason for finishing the season is not convincing. The reason given by Christian Severt, chief executive officer of the German Football League (DFL), is that only when it comes to the end and ranks out can it decide the promotion team and the team participating in the Champions League and Uefa Europa Cup next season.
However, European football is a game of chess, and Germany cannot be isolated. The epidemic situation in Italy, Spain and other countries has been “extremely urgent”. The Serie A league has been suspended and athletes are infected with the virus. La Liga announced an extension and UEFA postponed part of the Uefa Europa Cup. If a similar situation occurs in many European leagues, the European competition schedule is bound to face a re-adjustment, and the domestic lifting level can also be resolved through negotiation with various clubs. At this point, the Bundesliga’s “dead support” is meaningless.
Third, the German “Ghost Race” caused unfair competition. Germany is a federal country, and the federal government and the ruling party cannot directly forcibly stop competitions everywhere. The Bundesliga league did not make a unified deployment for cancellation or empty matches, but delegated the decision to all clubs, which made a decision according to the guidance and suggestions of the local district government and health department. This resulted in a “chaotic situation” in which the club was independent “.
Many clubs expressed their opposition to this decision of lack of overall planning and coordination, believing that the Bundesliga league lacks responsibility. On the one hand, the difference between the main and the away games in professional matches is mainly reflected in the “fans’ momentum”. A home game without fans basically loses its home advantage, which will cause an unfairness. On the other hand, some competitions allow the audience, some do not allow, for the club, it will also generate new unfairness in income. Some clubs cannot be allowed to take risks in doing business, while some clubs are cautious in suffering from dumb losses.
Fourth, “Ghost match” makes small and medium-sized clubs and low-level leagues face “survival crisis”. For small and medium-sized clubs and teams in low-level league matches below de C, direct income from football tickets and drinks is the main source of income, and games without spectators are a disaster for them, it is better to cancel it. The German Football Association has stopped the De C league on the 11th. There are also more and more club directors, head coaches and athletes in the German and German level two professional leagues who make suggestions and cancel the game directly.
Leonhardt, the chairman of debool club, has a very representative view. He thinks: “This season will not last at all. If a player is infected, the whole club personnel will be isolated and tested. In this way, the schedule will change.”
Leonard has even begun to consider what he should do to maintain the club’s operation after the league is suspended. “I have to consider finding a temporary job during this period to maintain the club’s income. Not only me, coaches and athletes may face this problem.”
Finally, the “war against epidemic” will pay a great price, but the sports league must put people’s health first. One of the important reasons why the Bundesliga league insists on opening the match is to hold the largest share in the income structure, namely, live TV and commercial advertising revenue. For the Bundesliga club, the direct income of football tickets and other venues only accounts for 13%, and the losses caused by “ghost match” are still “barely enough to bear”, but if live broadcast and advertising are affected, it is “the pain of digging the heart and digging the lung”.
However, don’t wait until the epidemic is out of control “. If the Bundesliga has to wait until an athlete is diagnosed before taking further measures, it is at least a late incubation period.