Dortmund boss Watzke doesn't expect fans in stadiums again this term

Players run for the ball in an empty stadium during the German Bundesliga soccer match. between Borussia Moenchengladbach and 1.FC Cologne. Photo: Martin Meissner/AP

Players run for the ball in an empty stadium during the German Bundesliga soccer match. between Borussia Moenchengladbach and 1.FC Cologne. Photo: Martin Meissner/AP

Published Mar 15, 2020

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BERLIN – Borussia Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke

believes only closed door games will be possible should the

Bundesliga return from the break enforced by the coronavirus outbreak this

season.

The Bundesliga was suspended on Friday until April due to the spread of the disease across Germany, which is one of the world's hardest hit countries with over 5 000 confirmed cases and 11 deaths. 

"If we play again this season, it will be closed door games," Watzke

told broadcaster ARD. "No one in the Bundesliga is still assuming

that we will still have games with fans."

Bayer Leverkusen chief executive Fernando Carro agreed it could be

the only way to complete the season. "Nobody wants closed door

games," he said. "They go against the whole purpose of the

Bundesliga.

"At the same time, there can be an emergency solution for a proper

end to the season, which is essential economically for many clubs."

DPA

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