The Football ticker on Sunday, June 7th, 2020:
Max saves Augsburg point against Cologne
FC Augsburg must continue to tremble in the Bundesliga relegation battle after a hard-won draw against 1. FC Köln. The team of coach Heiko Herrlich is four points ahead of the relegation place after a 1-1 (0-0) with four outstanding games.
Philipp Max (88.) saved the FCA at least one point with his eighth goal of the season shortly before the end. Just a few minutes earlier, Anthony Modeste (85th) had put the guests in the lead. Before the break, FCA striker Florian Niederlechner also failed with a penalty kick against strong FC goalkeeper Timo Horn (27.), who was responsible for the penalty himself.
After the overall meager performance, the Cologne team remained without a win in the fifth game after the Corona break and are also not yet saved. The team of coach Markus Gisdol, who has now been waiting for a three against FCA for eleven games, is still in twelfth place, seven points ahead of Fortuna Düsseldorf in 16th place.
Union fans celebrate team after draw against Schalke
After the Bundesliga game of 1. FC Union against Schalke 04 (1-1) on Sunday, several Berlin players were celebrated by around 30 fans singing in front of the stadium. Throughout the game, the followers of the climber in the immediate vicinity of the An der Alten Försterei stadium had sung. The calls from the forest were clearly audible in the empty stadium.
After the final whistle, the fans chanted: “We want to see the team”. Goalkeeper Rafal Gikiewicz and several of his colleagues then went from the lawn to a fence that bounded the arena, climbed onto wooden tables and were briefly celebrated by the enthusiastic fans behind the fence hung with Union posters. “We stood on the benches and had visual contact. That is of course outstanding and really nice at the time, ”said Union scorer Robert Andrich. Already at his opening goal (11th minute) cheers were inflated.
The Berlin police were on site with two team cars, but saw no reason to intervene. The football fans stood in small groups and kept their distance. According to the current ordinance on measures required to curb the spread of the novel corona virus in Berlin, groups of up to five people from several households can gather in public spaces at a distance.
Crowds of people in front of the stadiums should actually be avoided in any case during special game operations. Scheduling ghost games was the first condition for the resumption of the Bundesliga during the Corona pandemic.
Wolfsburg makes Bremen tumble towards the second division
For Werder Bremen, relegation from the Bundesliga is getting closer. Four days after the 0: 3 in the catch-up game against Eintracht Frankfurt, the penultimate table also lost the home game against VfL Wolfsburg 0: 1 (0: 0). The deciding goal in pouring rain headed the Dutchman Wout Weghorst in the 82nd minute.
The Bremen team have been without a win in their home Weser Stadium for more than nine months. On Sunday they also missed the chance to catch up with Fortuna Düsseldorf on the relegation place. Mainz 05 on the first direct non-relegation zone is now six points away. Wolfsburg, on the other hand, advanced to sixth place in the Europa League.
The only hope now is the supposedly solvable remaining program on the last four match days. The next home game is against the old and probably also new German champions Bayern Munich. But the other three opponents are SC Paderborn, Mainz 05 and on the last matchday 1. FC Köln.
Competitors weaken – HSV could benefit
VfB Stuttgart has opened the door to direct promotion to the Bundesliga again. Against outsider VfL Osnabrück, the second place at home did not get past 0-0 and now has 52 points. Hamburg could win with a Derby against Holstein Kiel on Monday (8.30 p.m. / Sky, live ticker at Abendblatt.de) pass due to the better goal difference and thus become the big winner of the 30th matchday of the 2nd Bundesliga.
At the ghost game in Stuttgart, the hosts, with ex-international Mario Gomez sitting on the bench for up to the 85th minute, made no difference to their superiority in the field. The team of coach Pellegrino Matarazzo lacked the ideas against the defensively set Lower Saxony. Especially in the penalty area, the Swabians, who have to play in the next game in Baden-Württemberg Derby at relegation threatened Karlsruher SC, found no gaps.
Competitor 1. FC Heidenheim also weakens. The fourth in the table lost at Bundesliga relegation Hannover 96 with 1: 2 (0: 2) and thus remains one point behind the HSV fourth. Striker Marvin Ducksch gave Hanover the lead in the 30th minute. Captain Edgar Prib made a good move from 18 meters (41.). Stefan Schimmer scored the connecting goal for the guests in the 75th minute.
In another game, Erzgebirge Aue defeated relegation threatened Karlsruher SC with a goal by storm talent Florian Krüger (9th minute) 1-0.
Seehofer: Play in front of fans again soon
Federal Interior Minister Horst Seehofer gave the fans hopes of a timely return to the stadium. “I already have the confidence in my heart that we will gradually be able to open the public again in the new season,” the CSU politician told the newspapers of the Funke media group, which also includes the evening paper: “Not immediately, not as before the Corona outbreak, but with fewer spectators and so that the distances between the stadium visitors are kept. “
The start of the new Bundesliga season is scheduled for August 21, but due to the game break forced by the corona virus, this date is probably difficult to achieve. Large events are currently prohibited until August 31, most of those responsible in the German professional leagues currently assume that even without fans in the stadiums must be played until the end of the year.
Seehofer, on the other hand, promised to find “clever solutions”, “in which we combine joie de vivre and protection against infection”. This approach applies to different areas and also includes sport.
Bremen and Wolfsburg set an example against racism
The teams from Werder Bremen and VfL Wolfsburg have given a common knee against racism. Before the game in the Bundesliga, the 22 players of both teams knelt on the center circle for a few moments on Sunday. In doing so, they responded to global protests against racism and police violence after the death of African American George Floyd after a police operation in the United States. The gesture had established football pro Colin Kaepernick as a form of protest in 2016. “Separated in the colors, united in the matter,” wrote VfL on Twitter.
The Werder Bremen team had previously joined the global protests against racism while warming up. All players wore shirts labeled “Clear Edge Against Racism” while warming up on Sunday afternoon. The teams from Borussia Dortmund and Hertha BSC had knelt around the kick-off circle before their Bundesliga game on Saturday.
Boateng: Floyd “unscrupulously murdered”
The images of the brutal death of African American George Floyd also shocked Jérôme Boateng. “It was an unscrupulous murder that was filmed this time. It also triggered a mix of anger, lack of understanding and compassion in me, ”said the 31-year-old from German record champion FC Bayern Munich in a Sky Sport interview.
The 2014 world champion also had experience of racism in his life. “Be it as a teenager in Berlin, when I was insulted by children and their parents on the soccer field and deliberately kicked,” Boateng described. “But later, as is well known, there was still hostility from some corners.”
HSV trainer Dieter Hecking praises anti-racism campaigns:
He thinks it is “good and important that people take to the streets worldwide and that many people express themselves and show solidarity,” said the central defender of Bavaria. “So many people love black culture, it is good that they also stand up for the people behind it and show that. But that shouldn’t be a two-week trend, it has to establish itself in the long term, there has to be a rethink, “said Boateng and appealed to everyone:” Take action if you notice racist comments in everyday life, discuss the issue with your children. “
Depression: Lübeck’s Hoins ends career
Dennis Hoins from third division promoted VfB Lübeck ended his career because of a depression at the age of only 27. “If the head no longer wants, the body has no chance,” the attacking player told the “Lübecker Nachrichten”. “Of course it’s a shame now that we’ve reached the big 3rd league goal – but it’s over for me.”
Hoins has been in the club since 2017 and was one of the top performers until his illness. He last played on November 9, 2019 in the Regionalliga Nord for the Norddeutsche. Then the disease broke out. “It came out of nowhere,” he said. “My health completely blew me away, it just overwhelmed me.” Hoins went to a specialist clinic in Bremen for treatment and now lives again near his hometown Verden (Aller). “I’m definitely feeling much, much better today,” he said.
Hoins does not have any concrete plans for the future. In addition to his football career, he has a degree in economics. He will only play football in his free time. “For fun, I’ll definitely kick it again sometime, even in a club.”
Associations talk to fans about stadium opening
In a working group, fans and associations talk about how a reduced number of spectators could return to the German stadiums if the ghost games ended. “There is an exchange in video conferences between the DFB, the DFL and fan representatives,” said Rainer Vollmer from the fan group “Our Curve” of the German Press Agency on Sunday. “Our Curve” takes part in the dialogue with the German Football League and the German Football Association.
The interior minister responsible for sport, Horst Seehofer (CSU), had previously said in an interview for the newspapers of the Funke media group: “I have confidence in my heart that we can gradually allow the public back into the new season. Not immediately, not like before the Corona outbreak, but with fewer spectators and so that the distances between the stadium visitors are kept. “
“Our curve” does not yet have a concrete concept of how this could work, said Vollmer. “We are in favor of starting again sometime. Gradually, it’s better than nothing, ”he said. “But there are also problems that still have to be solved.” Among other things, it is about how you would distribute the few tickets, how the admission controls should work and how to deal with stadium catering.
Fear of ghost games: Cottbus exchanges home rights
Regional league team FC Energie Cottbus could initially voluntarily forego home games in the Corona crisis at the beginning of the coming season. In this way, the Lausitz ghost games in the stadium of friendship are to be avoided, as the ban on major events with more than 1000 people will initially apply until August 31. “We want to keep the economic consequences as low as possible. That is why it is indeed a model to start the season with several away games, ”said President Matthias Auth of the“ Lausitzer Rundschau ”.
Auth has also announced that it will begin discussions with the Northeast German Football Association (NOFV) in the coming days. There are already offers from other clubs, such as VfB Auerbach, to take greater advantage of home game law at the beginning of the season.
Cottbus had already announced that it would not appeal the championship. On Friday evening, the NOFV had chosen the 1. FC Lokomotive Leipzig as the champion of the canceled regional league season by quotient regulation. When the next season starts is still unclear. Possible dates could be August 22 or September 5. “We will definitely train from July 11th. If the start of the season is delayed, we will manage the load by dividing the preparation into two blocks, ”said energy trainer Sebastian Abt.
CAS negotiates European Cup ban for Man City
Fateful days for Manchester City: From Monday, the English champion’s appeal against the European Cup ban imposed by the European Football Union (UEFA) will be heard before the CAS International Sports Court in Lausanne. The CAS judgment could have far-reaching consequences not only for Man City, but for all of European football. The trial is scheduled until Wednesday.
Man City, coached by star team manager Pep Guardiola, had been excluded from all European competitions for the next two seasons on February 14 due to “serious violations” of financial fair play. The club was also fined € 30 million. The current competition in the premier class is not affected, City had presented 2-1 at Real Madrid in the first knockout round.
City defends itself against the allegations and denies that it has received illegal donations from its Arab investors. If the CAS rejects the objection, the team is threatened with the departure of numerous stars who have the right to play in the Champions League. City would also be forced to cut costs for financial reasons as well, since the lucrative revenues from the premier class would be eliminated. Player sales could not be avoided.
Role model Gladbach: Lazio sets up cardboard figures
The Italian first division club Lazio Roma takes an example from Borussia Mönchengladbach and sets up cardboard comrades in its stadium for the restart in Serie A. For just under 40 euros, fans of the second in the table can have their picture put up in the Olympic Stadium. Part of the proceeds will go to the Red Cross, the association said.
The fans can send their picture to the club by email. You can then decide for yourself where to place your own cardboard version. As soon as the spectators return to the stadiums, the participants can pick up their pictures – including the signature of Lazio captain Senad Lulic.
Politicians had given the green light last week to restart Serie A on June 20. The Romans still have a good chance of winning the championship, just one point behind leaders Juventus Turin. Twelve game days are still outstanding this season.
Final tournament of the Champions League apparently in Portugal
Frankfurt has apparently lost the race to host a possible Champions League final against Lisbon. According to the picture on Sunday, the European Football Union (UEFA) has chosen the Portuguese capital for several reasons. The final decision will be made at the Executive Committee meeting on June 17th and 18th.
Frankfurt and its surrounding area, as far as Mainz and Sinsheim, were among the candidates for the event. The city administration of the Main metropolis had already signaled their interest. The European Cup competitions are interrupted due to the corona crisis. The finals in the premier class were actually scheduled for May 30 in Istanbul. According to media reports, the Turkish city is no longer in the race.
Due to the tight time window, it is practically impossible this year for all outstanding pairings to be played in the usual format in the Champions League after the remaining four round of 16 second leg matches. A blitz tournament with knockout games without spectators would be a possible solution.
Ribéry-Trainer tested positive for Corona
Franck Ribéry has to do without his coach Beppe Iachini in preparation for the restart of Serie A with the Italian first division football club AC Florence. Club president Rocco Commisso said that Iachini had been infected with the corona virus. “He has all my support,” said Commisso. Gian Piero Gasperini had previously fallen ill, but Atalanta Bergamo’s coach has now recovered.
In Italy the championship was interrupted on March 9th. The season will continue on June 20th.
Violation of Corona requirements – severe penalties in China
Six Chinese U-19 football players have been suspended for half a year for violating corona virus restrictions. The players had left the training camp in Shanghai, which runs until Saturday, to go for a drink, according to the Chinese football association, according to the state media, which reported on Sunday. “It was a serious violation of the team’s epidemic control team and had a negative impact on the team.”
Players are not allowed to play at their clubs or at the national level until November 30th. While one of the six soccer players is playing in Japan, the others have also been punished by their clubs by blocking their salary for the time. Fines of 200,000 and 300,000 yuan were also imposed on two players, equivalent to 25,000 and 37,000 euros, respectively.
Protest icon Smith praises Bundesliga professionals
Olympic champion Tommie Smith, whose black power gesture of 1968 became a symbol of protest in the sport against racism, welcomes the expressions of solidarity from the Bundesliga after the violent death of the African American George Floyd. “I am very happy to hear that,” said Smith (76) of the “Bild am Sonntag” about the protests last week by Jadon Sancho and Achraf Hakimi (Borussia Dortmund) and Marcus Thuram (Borussia Mönchengladbach). This weekend there were again similar actions on the courses, including in Dortmund and Leverkusen.
“You obviously understood that George Floyd also represents you. It represents a system that needs help, ”said the former world-class athlete. “A global system of love and solidarity that is also threatened by political leaders. It takes a lot of people to protect and strengthen this system. And to overthrow those who want to poison it. “
On October 16, 1968, Smith had raised his gloved fist to the sky with his third-placed compatriot John Carlos (75) at the awards ceremony for the 200-meter race at the Olympic Games in Mexico. The gesture is one of the most distinctive symbols in sports history.
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