In Stuttgart, Cologne and Leipzig, Germany: DFB hopes to spectators at home games in the fall

The German national football team will have to play their next home matches in Stuttgart, Cologne and Leipzig. This is the German football Association (DFB) announced on Friday. The Nations League opener against Spain (3. September) to take place in Stuttgart, the other home matches against Switzerland (13. October) in Cologne, Germany, and the Ukraine (14. November) in Leipzig. This had been decided by the DFB Presidium in its meeting in March, it said. In Cologne and Leipzig will be held in addition, a test game this fall. It had said the Secretary-General Friedrich Curtius before the "Sports buzz".

Open is because of the Coronavirus pandemic, whether of the DFB for these games can be planned with spectators. "My expectation is that we develop a concept that allows us in the fall to play in front of spectators. We bring our Expertise and continue to work closely with the health authorities,“ said Curtius.

It is in this context also of advantage, in October and November each have two home games in the same place, slug it out, added the official. DFB-Director Oliver Bierhoff said: "With the selection of the venues we avoid unnecessary travel, protect the health of the players and, of course, the topic of load control in the view."

effects looks for at least three years

the DFB General Secretary Curtius, meanwhile, is still far-reaching and long-term impact through the Corona of a pandemic on the Sport to come. "The outbreak is now over 100 days and I expect that it will affect us for at least 1000 days, three years, strong. I hope and wish that we draw all the right conclusions," said the 44-Year-old in an Interview with the sports buzzer.

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The consequences of the pandemic for the Sport and the whole of society could not be estimated at this time yet. Mind games were the only way to play the end of the season. "We have gotten a lot of criticism, of course, entitled to," said Curtius. "I understand that people have other things to Worry about than football and his production join in the excitement. But the football is still needed, I'm sure of it." The fun factor in mind games is manageable, he acknowledges: "We are experiencing that football really needs to be close to his Fans. And of your lives. But I'm glad that ever again football is played.“

understanding for Dynamo

Curtius expressed also understand the resentment at clubs such as Dynamo Dresden, was forced by the Corona-crisis to quarantine and in preparation for the restart were affected. "I understand the situations that have arisen in the case of some clubs, but they are caused by athletic competition. There's a big difference. Our task was it that sporty about promotion and relegation will be decided, as we did,“ said the DFB's General Secretary.

"What would have been the Alternative? A season of demolition would not have probably survived for many clubs.“ He could, however, assure you that even with the more prominent Associations carefully so acted would have been. Dynamo Dresden had been threatened with a lawsuit, because the competition may start would not have. In a battle against relegation to the second division of the Bundesliga, the Saxons were able to start only with a delay with a mammoth programme back in the game after the Team had to spend because of the positive corona tests two weeks in home quarantine.