- Title: Potential Bundesliga shutdown met with mixed reactions in Germany
- Date: 9th March 2020
- Summary: MOENCHENGLADBACH, GERMANY (MARCH 9, 2020) (REUTERS) OUTSIDE OF BORUSSIA MOENCHENGLADBACH STADIUM PAN TO STADIUM BORUSSIA MOENCHENGLADBACH SIGN (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERD PUSCHKE, MOENCHENGLADBACH FAN, SAYING: Well, I think it's totally exaggerated. It's a bit threatening particularly in this area, of course, but I think the hype is completely exaggerated. As a Gladbach fan I wouldn't want a ghost game of course, I wouldn't like to see that at all, because without spectators it's not a home game. We need the support of the crowd, so for me the game has to be played with a crowd." (SOUNDBITE) (German) MARLIES GROB, MOENCHENGLADBACH FAN, SAYING: "There are certainly different opinions. I mean, a game also took place on Saturday, there was none major fuss was made about it. Certainly, health has priority, of course and it's a shame as a fan of course, but of course I'll accept it." (SOUNDBITE) (German) JENS SCHOENWETTER, MOENCHENGLADBACH FAN, SAYING: "But, on the one hand I think that's good for people's health. I think you have to make sure that safety comes first for people and that, yes, games will unfortunately get cancelled then, unfortunately this is already the case in Italy, the ghost games are already planned." BORUSSIA MOENCHENGLADBACH FLAG COLOGNE, GERMANY (FEBRUARY 28, 2020) (REUTERS) FANS GO TO THE RHEINENERGIE STADION FOR THE BUNDESLIGA MATCH BETWEEN FC COLOGNE AND SCHALKE 04 CLOSE UP OF FEET FANS GET OUT OF THE TRAIN OUTSIDE OF STADIUM FANS STADIUM
- Embargoed: 23rd March 2020 14:34
- Keywords: Bundesligs Germany Soccer cancelled closed doors coronavirus
- Location: MOENCHENGLADBACH AND COLOGNE, GERMANY
- City: MOENCHENGLADBACH AND COLOGNE, GERMANY
- Country: Germany
- Topics: Soccer,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA001C4BZW3J
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Germany has yet to decide on whether soccer matches should go-ahead in full or empty stadiums amid the coronavirus outbreak after Health Minister Jens Spahn urged on Sunday (March 8) for all events with more than 1,000 spectators to be called off.
The German Football League (DFL) said it would consult with clubs and authorities before taking a decision, and try to strike the right balance between "justified prevention and exaggerated caution."
There were mixed feelings to the prospect of matches being played behind closed doors among fans of Bundesliga side Borussia Moenchengladbach, some feeling that the threat of coronavirus is exaggerated while others said people's safety and health must be put first.
(Production: Andy Ragg) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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