Hans-Joachim Watzke: Ghost games important for Bundesliga existence

With the Bundesliga set to potentially return on May 9th, Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke spoke out about the reality of playing without fans.

Everyone is definitely getting excited with the potential return of the Bundesliga on May 9th. With everything going on in the world and the current state of sports it’s amazing to think we may actually be able to start watching the Bundesliga again soon. Although we will potentially see the Bundesliga return there is no chance we will see fans in the stadiums anytime soon. Instead there will be “ghost games”,  with teams playing in empty stadiums.

With the reality of ghost games there is a lot of commentary from fans and media that although the Bundesliga is returning, it simply won’t be the same without fans in the stands. That’s true, but at this point there’s nothing to be done on that front, the reality is that if we want to watch football again this year it will 100% be without fans. Watzke had some very choice words for those speaking out against ghost games. He was interviewed by Sky Germany and said the following.

"“Of course I also know that many fans say because the atmosphere in the stadium is not there, it’s not going to come over as well on TV. But if we want to save football, & it’s all about saving football here. We’re not talking small matters. It comes down to this.”“If we don’t play in the next few months & the season is cancelled, then the Bundesliga will no longer exist in the form we have come to know.” – Hans-Joachim Watzke"

Watzke is right, the importance to playing the games even without fans in the stadium is massive for the Bundesliga as a whole. The criticism of the DFL is understandable, but their decision to get back to playing so quickly is to ensure the survival of German football.

The TV revenue the games will generate is essential to the survival of a lot of clubs in the Bundesliga and 2.Bundesliga. Without that revenue, there would be several clubs either bankrupt or on the brink of bankruptcy.

Watzke also spoke about the DFL’s plans to get football back underway, and praised CEO Christian Seifert.

"“Christian Seifert deserves a compliment. The concept goes very deep. If we implement all this, it will cost us millions – but that’s completely fine. We want to return to our profession with maximum security. We have developed a maximum safety standard, nothing more is possible.”"

About the possible restart on May 9, the Borussia Dortmund CEO believes that the clubs are ready “because we see a responsibility for our employees”.

Although the DFL has announced it’s plan to return it is yet to be given the all clear from the German government. Hopefully that will follow in the coming days and both fans and the clubs can get excited and feel some relief with the rest of the season to be played.