… the decision to resume the Bundesliga season: We’re happy about the decision. It’s a sign of the confidence of the politicians in the concept of the DFL that prescribes the organisational and hygienic requirements. A lot of people have been working on it and its local implementation over the past few weeks both by DFL and the clubs. In our case, we have to thank our team doctor Dr. Karl-Heinrich Dittmar and his team. They designed all the measures and implemented them. But it’s also clear this decision also brings great responsibility with it – for the club and the players. We want to live up to that in the coming weeks.
…criticism of the decision: Above all in a crisis, it’s important not to play different groups off against each other. You can’t criticise anybody who wants to do their job again. The people in charge from the widest range of groups had and have the chance to work out plans for a restart – and professional football has achieved it. Of course, football as the number one sport, which is reported on daily in nearly all the media, plays a big part in the public dialogue. But it doesn’t automatically have a higher priority over anything else because of that.
…the competitive parity of the Bundesliga clubs: I believe that’s a given. Everybody has trained in restricted conditions and without an exact target date, starting in small groups. It hardly has any effect if you resume full training one or two days earlier than others. Not all teams start at the same time in the pre-season or during the winter break.
…the case of an infected player/manager over the course of the season: The power of ultimate decision in that event is with the local health authorities. They impose the quarantine measures. We have a close and good relationship with the local health authority in Leverkusen. Don’t forget: The tight timing of the testing is obviously designed to identify positive cases early and to prevent further infection.
…possibility of fans gathering outside stadiums: There are ongoing conversations between Bayer 04 and the fans. And, of course, we appeal to our supporters to watch the Werkself games at home in front of the television. On top of that, we have great confidence in our supporters. They are well aware that you can’t joke about this coronavirus pandemic. Feedback from our fans has shown they are conscious of their responsibility – both in view of their own health and also in the knowledge they could harm Bayer 04.
…the next steps before the restart: The DFL general meeting is tomorrow. After that, we’ll know exactly which matchday we’ll start with. We will start full training again and the regular coronavirus testing has and will serve as one of the preconditions for that. The hotel we use depends on the start date and venue. We’ll make that decision in the next day or two.
After Jens Nowotny was officially named a Bayer 04 honorary captain last weekend, the long-standing Werkself player is part of the Leverkusen delegation on the trophy tour to New York City next week from 11 to 14 September. In an interview with bayer04.de, the 50-year-old talked about his expectations ahead of the trip to the metropolis on the East Coast of the USA.
Show moreThe German Football League (DFL) has confirmed the dates and kick-off times for matchdays 6 to 12 of the 2024/25 Bundesliga season. Full details of the Bayer 04 fixtures.
Show moreMarkus Rehm, a long jumper at TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen, won the gold medal for the fourth time in succession at the Paralympics on Wednesday.
Show moreThe fixture details for the second round of the DFB Pokal 2024/25 have been confirmed. The home tie for Bayer 04 against second division SV 07 Elversberg is on Tuesday, 29 October with the kick off at 18.00 CET (live on Sky). That was announced by the German Football Association (DFB) on Thursday.
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