The state government of Saxony has updated the Corona Ordinance and as recently announced Implemented openings for professional sports. Utilization of up to 25 percent is now permitted. Social Minister Petra Köpping (SPD) said this when the new Corona Protection Ordinance was announced on Tuesday (February 2nd). This 25 percent applies without an upper limit. For arenas with up to 2,000 spectators it is 50 percent. There is no difference between inside and outside.
According to this, around 8,000 spectators are allowed to come to the Harbig Stadium for the east classic in the 2nd Bundesliga between Dynamo Dresden and FC Hansa Rostock on Sunday (February 6). 12,000 fans would be allowed to attend RB Leipzig’s Bundesliga game against 1. FC Köln on the Friday after next (February 11). FC Erzgebirge Aue also plays in the 2nd Bundesliga on this day – 4,000 spectators would be allowed against Holstein Kiel.
“Really good news”
The professional sports initiative “TeamSportSachsen” welcomed the openings. Their spokesman Karsten Günther told MDR: “This is really good news for all Saxon sports fans and clubs. Today’s decision shows that teamwork, perseverance and, above all, constructive dialogue are worthwhile in order to achieve good solutions. I thank the Saxon cabinet that followed our suggestion,” said the managing director of the first division handball club SC DHfK Leipzig.
Olaf Albrecht, the managing director of third division football club FSV Zwickau, says that the easing is “an important step in terms of future viability and competitiveness.” For Maik Walsdorf (DEL2-Klub Dresdner Eislöwen), the new regulation shows that “the joint efforts of all clubs are bearing fruit and that we are taking another important step towards normality. This fact alone is a great motivation for everyone involved.”
The chairman of the board of directors of the regional football league Chemnitzer FC, Romy Polster, was pleased that “it is worth acting with factual arguments and consistent presentations”. Step by step, “sport would come back in its importance for people, but also as a large branch of the economy”.
State Sports Association of Saxony raises the alarm
In contrast to professional sport, amateur and club sport is anything but satisfied with the decisions. There were no changes here. Landessport Sachsen is sounding the alarm: “At the moment we can expect a mid-four-digit loss in members for the past year. That’s more than alarming!” LSB General Secretary Christian Dahms said on Monday (January 31).
“TeamSportSachsen” five-step plan
According to the current Corona Emergency Ordinance, a maximum of 1,000 guests were allowed in Saxon sports cities. It was last against the spectator restriction in sport Protests from various clubs given. For Saxony, the initiative “TeamSportSachsen” recently a five-step plan for a spectator return. Bundesliga club RB Leipzig goes legal and has filed a lawsuit with the Higher Administrative Court in Bautzen. A decision is not expected before next week. It is not yet known whether RB will now withdraw the lawsuit.
Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia different
In Saxony-Anhalt, a utilization of 50 percent is permitted in compliance with the 2G Plus rule. 14,316 fans attended the third division soccer game between 1. FC Magdeburg and 1. FC Saarbrücken on Saturday. In Thuringia, no spectators are allowed at sporting events.
Only 750 in North Rhine-Westphalia – RB lawsuit played no role
In Bavaria, up to 10,000 people (maximum 25 percent of the total capacity) are approved. The state government in Baden-Württemberg followed last week with a decision for 6,000 people. In North Rhine-Westphalia, on the other hand, only 750 spectators are currently allowed. The NRW Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund and 1. FC Köln, like RB Leipzig, want to have this checked in court in summary proceedings. Interior Minister Roland Wöller (CDU) said that the new arrangement had been readjusted as part of the current bed occupancy and after intensive dialogue with sport – it had nothing to do with RB’s lawsuit.
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cke/dpa
Source: MDR