The application to postpone the game was approved: The German Football League has canceled the upcoming Bundesliga game between Mainz and BVB. A new date has already been set.
With the game between FSV Mainz 05 and Borussia Dortmund, the first Bundesliga game this season has been canceled due to a corona outbreak. The German Football League approved a corresponding request from the Rheinhessen affected on Friday. The game of matchday 25 was scheduled for Sunday (3.30 p.m.); Wednesday, March 16 (6:30 p.m.) was set as the new date.
“The reason is that as of today we still have 14 players who are fit for action, but none of them are eligible Bundesliga goalkeepers. It’s a bit difficult to play a Bundesliga game with such a squad,” said Mainz sports director Christian Heidel at a press conference.
The club announced on Thursday that 19 people had contracted the virus and had gone into domestic isolation. Those affected – players, coaches and team members – are completely immunized, it said. 13 professionals are infected, including all three goalkeepers and coach Bo Svensson.
According to the DFL rules of the game, an application for a transfer can be granted if fewer than 16 players are available. Among them must be at least nine licensed players and among them one goalkeeper. Injured or banned actors count as available and not in the absences.
At the beginning of the season, the people of Mainz were already affected by a severe corona wave. Eleven players were out at the time, but FSV still won the opening game against RB Leipzig 1-0.