1. FC Köln, Arminia Bielefeld and Borussia Dortmund are going to a higher administrative court to defend themselves against the state government’s Corona regulation. In the spectator question, a point has been reached that violates the fundamental interests of the clubs.
Werder Bremen can not only welcome Karlsruher SC to the league game of the second Bundesliga on Saturday, but also a comparatively large number of spectators. At the most recent appearance in the Weser Stadium two weeks ago, the actors and a handful of media representatives had to keep to themselves, now 10,000 people are allowed to come again. Bremen’s Mayor Andreas Bovenschulte thinks that “a certain amount” of visitors should now be allowed again, just “don’t overdo it”.
In the promised German football west, one would be very happy about a prime minister who argued in a similarly Socratic manner. But Hendrik Wüst and the state government of North Rhine-Westphalia did not want to open up to a new look at the situation, despite persistent persuasion on the part of those affected.
Furthermore, only 750 spectators are allowed to enter the football stadiums in NRW, regardless of whether it is the Borussia Dortmund temple, which can accommodate 80,000, or the 4,000-seat stadium at Bruchbaum, where the regional league club SV Lippstadt 08 is at home. The fact that the same capacity limit also applies to events that do not take place outdoors – circus performances, musicals, concerts and the like – sounds in line with the principle same numbers for everyone almost fair, but in truth has nothing to do with the reality of the pandemic, with logical action or proportionate politics.
Equal treatment must also be an issue – other federal states are again allowing more fans
That is why the Bundesliga clubs 1. FC Köln, Arminia Bielefeld and Borussia Dortmund have now gone to the Higher Administrative Court in Münster to defend themselves against the government’s Corona Protection Ordinance, which they believe is inappropriate and ineffective. BVB boss Hans-Joachim Watzke described this step as “Ultima Ratio”, Cologne’s managing director Alexander Wehrle made a similar statement.
They didn’t say any empty phrases: Of course, the clubs don’t want any trouble with their state government, with which they will have to get along well in the future. And they don’t like the fact that they now feel compelled to take legal action against Corona bids. The clubs can do without another stereotypical image debate about the allegedly so selfish professional football.
However, a point has been reached on the question of viewer admission that violates legitimate and elementary interests. The clubs have the right – also on behalf of the public – to demand and sue for a reasonable solution. Equal treatment must also be an issue. In addition to Bremen, Saxony (where RB Leipzig has already filed a lawsuit), Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate are also allowing more stadium occupancy at the weekend. For the Cologne, Bielefeld and Dortmund and the other clubs in North Rhine-Westphalia, the decision from Münster probably comes too late to open the stadium doors. Ironically, because they have relied on dialogue and argument for too long.