How hopeful are you that spectators in NRW, and Leverkusen in particular, will soon be able to return to the grounds?
We have established the preconditions and we’re fighting for the return of fans. We have submitted a viable plan to the Leverkusen public health department and that has been well received. Now it’s down to the NRW state government and the local health authorities. The Federal Chancellor and the Minister Presidents have also set up a working party. We hope that they will be able to present a national solution as soon as possible so that we can play in front of more than 300 fans at the BayArena. We’re ready here at Bayer 04.
The states are allowing different numbers of spectators. Do you see that as competitive distortion?
That’s the wrong approach. We all want fans to return to the stadia. It’s just not the same without them. Therefore, I’m happy if individual states and authorities assume responsibility and take courageous decisions and thus send out positive signals for a normality that will benefit every club in the end
Have there been discussions with the DFL about all clubs playing behind closed doors until a single solution has been found for all the states?
The federal structure in Germany, which I’m very much in favour of, does not permit that at the moment. The DFL and all clubs are clear that the return of spectators has to done step-by-step. There are different regulations and we accept that. It’s much more important to do your own homework and be prepared as much as possible. We’ve done that and the feedback from health experts has been positive. We’re waiting for a green light from the politicians and we would want the courage for the coming weeks that others have already shown.
The Werkself training camp officially began early on Tuesday morning with the landing in Rio de Janeiro. Ahead of the first session in the afternoon local time, bayer04.de profiles the talented youngsters from the youth teams who have travelled to Brazil.
Show morePreparations for the 2025/26 season are in full swing with the new head coach Erik ten Hag working for the start of the season in the middle of August. After the timings for the first matchdays in the forthcoming Bundesliga season were confirmed a few days ago, we now provide information on the first sale phase for match tickets. The early booker phase, exclusively for Bayer 04 Club members, brings some changes. Read on for further information.
Show moreBayer 04 are away to SG Sonnenhof Großaspach in the first round of the 2025/26 DFB Pokal. The match is on Friday, 15 August (kick-off: 18:00 CEST) at the WIRmachenDRUCK Arena. Read on for the latest ticket information.
Show moreBayer 04 Leverkusen will partner closely with parent-company Bayer during its preseason tour to Brazil from July 14 to 24 this month. The backing from Bayer of the “Bayer 04 Brasil Tour” has been crucial in organizing the groundbreaking training camp for ten days, plus a host of local activities and community events capped by the match against Flamengo's U20 team on July 18 at Estádio da Gávea.
Show moreThe bags are packed and Bayer 04 will set off for Brazil in a few hours. Over the next ten days, the team led by head coach Erik ten Hag will be the first Bundesliga side to hold a training camp in the country of the five-time World Cup winners. The Werkself will train at Flamengo’s Campus Ninho do Urubu under the motto ‘Esquenta!’ (warm up) and play a friendly against the U20 team of the world-famous club. Read on for training camp timetable.
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