Bundesliga chief executive, Robert Klein, believes the return of fans in Germany can provide support for English leagues to follow suit.
Speaking to Simon Collings of the Evening Standard, Klein outlined how the sharing of information and collaboration between clubs in Germany has helped football return to normality.
Bundesliga to Support Fans’ Safe Return to English Football
Bundesliga Collaboration Key to Fans’ Return
The Bundesliga was the first major football league to restart following the spread of COVID-19 across the world. German football returned in May earlier this year, just two months after COVID-19 lockdowns were in force across the continent.
It was also one of the first European leagues to have fans return too. Bundesliga clubs are allowed a 20% capacity on match days. But, only if the seven-day average rate of infection is below 35 per 100,000 in a region. Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen and Schalke are yet to have fans return due to rates being above the threshold in their respective regions.
Largely, the return of fans has been a success in Germany. 17 teams in the league have seen fans return in the 2020/21 season. Borussia Dortmund also had 11,500 fans in the Westfalenstadion for their 4-0 loss to Freiburg earlier in October. This was the highest attendance in the Bundesliga so far this season.
Klien believes such success comes from clubs’ willingness to share information about what works and what doesn’t. RB Leipzig, in particular, have been praised for their collaboration with other clubs to get fans back.
Speaking to Standard Sport, Klein said: “The togetherness has been very positive. Whatever experiences we’ve got, we share the information and see where we can support elsewhere. The clubs are the heroes in this. They are the ones who have to implement it with the local states.”
Klein: “Fans are the Next Step”
When reflecting on the situation in English football, where fans are yet to return, Klein believes the Premier League’s return has been successful, but the return of fans must come next.
Klein said: “Everything we have done is on our website and we will happily share in all the individual experiences. The Premier League’s doing pretty well. Fans are the next step and I just hope they can come as soon as possible, where health can be the priority and the risk is as low as possible.”
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