opinion
Corona measures
Full stadium in Cologne: The excitement about the fans is hypocritical
In the derby between 1. FC Köln and Borussia Mönchengladbach, a mask was also required on the pitch
© Dean Mouhtaropoulos / Getty Images
In view of the precarious Corona situation, the pictures from the sold out football stadium in Cologne caused many heads to shake. To blame the fans for a lack of protection against infection would be one thing above all else: hypocrisy.
The number of infections is skyrocketing, an unpredictably dangerous virus mutation is spreading, the discussions about the next lockdown and / or compulsory vaccination are picking up speed.
In view of all this, the pictures from Cologne on Saturday – oh wonder – angered many. 50,000 people crowded into the sold-out Rheinenergiestadion for the Rhenish derby between 1. FC Köln and its arch-rival Borussia Mönchengladbach. Good food for the morally superior, who immediately accused the fans of irresponsibility at the Champions League level. But here the followers – if at all – are to blame. The health department had finally allowed the club to sell out – subject to 2G conditions.
It wasn’t until the match day that the responsible officials noticed: “Yikes, what did we allow?” Without further ado, all of the vaccinated and recovered footballers were forced to wear a mask on the pitch – the pathetic attempt to nip the preprogrammed shitstorm in the bud. Because, of course, stadium beer and derby atmosphere with infection protection are not far off – most fans dropped their masks with their inhibitions.
Infection protection is not the job of the fans
Accusing fans of selfishness would be hypocritical. After all, they don’t dance brightly naked at an illegal corona rave, but attend an officially approved event. Yet, after more than two years of pandemic, we are addicted to blame. The city of Cologne is now examining whether it will impose fines on the association for violating the protection against infection. Anyone who is seriously surprised that endorphin-flooded Effzehler jump into each other’s arms at the highest derby victory since 1996 has probably never seen a stadium from the inside.
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Of course, it is commendable when fans grudgingly refrain from visiting the stadium in view of the precarious situation. But nobody should hold up a moral index finger to a glowing (and vaccinated!) Arena visitor. Infection protection is the job of the health department and the organizer, not the fans. Personal responsibility is not the main part of the 2G rules.
The worst thing about the whole misery: The tiring and, above all, hopeless debate about the questionable special position of professional football (including this text) could be avoided in the future with one measure: compulsory vaccination. But until we make it through, FC Köln will be champions – in front of sold-out stadium ranks, of course.