Why German fans don’t care for matches any more

Due to the Corona crisis, the German Football League was also brought to a complete standstill. From May onwards, the ball is now rolling again - but without fans in the stadiums. The strict hygiene regulations make it impossible for football fans to visit a stadium and cheer on their favourite team. So the remaining matches of the season will take place without spectators.

Live stream on free and pay TV

Neither free nor pay-TV broadcast all matches in Germany live. Only a relatively small selection is made. On the Sky Sport News HD channel, the games are freely accessible. Fans have to pay for all other games shown on the Sky channel. In addition, it is often unclear whether the paid streaming service DAZN can show different games. The background to this problem is a dispute between the DFL and Eurosport. DAZN has taken over the rights of Eurosport as sublicensee.

No sociability in front of the TV

Sociable football fans must refrain from watching a match together with their friends. The ban on socialising also applies to the area in front of the television. It is possible that in the coming weeks and months the regulations will be relaxed somewhat, so that at least in their own four walls an atmosphere like a match is created.

More substitutions allowed for ghost games

The sidelines will be much fuller in the ghost games, as more substitutions can now be made for the rest of the season. The DFL has allowed five substitutions instead of three. This is to make it possible to relieve the pressure on the players due to the tightly packed calendar and in the heat of summer. The substitutions may be carried out during the break and during the season on a further three occasions. In this way, the aim is to avoid coaches playing for time with many substitutions in the final phase.

Hygiene regulations

The players have to do without the usual hugging and patting of the shoulders after scoring goals, as the DFL's hygiene concept prohibits it. However, foot and elbow contact is allowed. The mouthguard might take some getting used to by coaches. However, the mask may be taken off during coaching.

Corona crisis and continuation of the Bundesliga - public opinion

According to a survey, the majority of German football fans are currently against continuing the Bundesliga. 56 percent criticize the season restart, as reported in the ARD. Only just under a third (31 percent) of those surveyed would like to see the Bundesliga continued. Twelve percent are not interested in soccer, and one percent made no statement. Football without fans – that’s nigh on unthinkable for most organised fans. For them football is more than sport, it’s a social event. And a match without fans, has no soul – no fan will put on his Werder Bremen Trikot and cheer in front of a TV-set.

40 percent of those surveyed are in favour of further relaxation of corona measures by politicians. However, there is no clear support among them for a continuation of the Bundesliga. Doubts are expressed by 45 percent, 40 percent are in favour of the continuation.

Will the corona concept for the Bundesliga season be ended soon?

For the time being it is still necessary to comply with various hygiene regulations. It will certainly not be possible for fans to visit the stadiums in the foreseeable future. Some politicians, such as Bavaria's First Minister Markus Söder, are "cautiously optimistic" when it comes to questions as to when the games can now take place again without the Corona concept. However, he emphasises that the protection of players and the population is paramount. Certainly fans will have to wait a while before they can cheer for their team again at the stadium.