Germany: "Major events may no longer be held with the public" (Olaf Scholz)

"In order to slow down the spread of the virus, major inter-regional events may no longer be held with the public, this applies in particular to football matches. The number of infections will increase massively in the coming weeks, we must prepare for this now," said Olaf Scholz, the new German Chancellor, following a crisis meeting with the presidents of the 16 German Länder (regions) on 21/12/2021.

The measures announced come into force on 28/12/2021. The next Bundesliga matchday (Matchday 18), scheduled for 07 to 09/01/2022, will therefore be played behind closed doors.

The pandemic had already forced some clubs to close their stands upon instructions from the regional authorities. Thus, three game on Matchday 17 of the Bundesliga were played without spectators, on 17 and 18/12/2021: FC Bayern Munich - VfL Wolfsburg (4-0), RB Leipzig - DSC Arminia Bielefeld (0-2) and SpVgg Greuther Fürth - FC Augsburg (0-0).

"The temporary restrictions imposed by the federal and state governments on spectators at major events are regrettable but understandable - even if we all hoped until…