News

Bayern fans return Super Cup tickets amid super spreader fears

September 22, 2020 07:15 PM


Around 800 Bayern Munich supporters have returned tickets for Thursday's UEFA Super Cup in Hungary amid fears the showcase match could become a "super spreader" event.

Budapest will host the match between Champions League winners Bayern Munich and Europa League holders Sevilla, however the fixture is facing growing criticism.

Germany has declared Budapest a risk zone, after new infections in the Hungarian capital climbed above the threshold of 50 new cases per 100,000 people. "Everyone should think twice before going there," said Markus Soeder, state premier for Bavaria, on Tuesday after tightening the region's regulations.

Any Bayern fans returning from Budapest must "either be tested or be quarantined", Soeder added. As a pilot project towards the return of fans in stadiums, Bayern and Sevilla were both given 3,000 tickets for the game in Budapest.

However, UEFA expect only 500 Sevilla supporters and 1300 Bayern fans at Budapest's Puskas Arena. Initially, Bayern fans requested 2100 tickets, but 800 were returned by Monday, according to AFP subsidiary SID and German daily Bild, the same day Soeder warned about Budapest becoming football's "Ischgl".

The Austrian ski resort became notorious as a so-called "super spreader" after thousands of holidaymakers became infected at the start of the epidemic in Europe. "Will the Super Cup become the Super Spreader Cup?" questioned German daily Bild.

Bayern and Sevilla are offering testing to fans travelling to and from Budapest. "We have no interest in people returning from Budapest infected with the virus, which is then unrecognised here," said Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

Bild pointed out the absurdity of the situation after Bayern had to play behind closed doors in last Friday's 8-0 win over Schalke, yet 20,000 -- a third of the stadium's capacity -- would be allowed to watch in Budapest.

Last week, Munich's mayor scuppered the club's plans to let 7,500 fans into the Allianz Arena to see Friday's season opener because of rising numbers of Covid-19 in the Bavarian capital. On Tuesday, UEFA told SID the Super Cup match will go ahead as planned.

 



Most Read

  1. Solar panel rate sinks massively in Lahore Solar panel rate sinks massively in Lahore
  2. LHC orders steel mill demolition over pollution LHC orders steel mill demolition over pollution
  3. Foreigners safe after suicide-bomber targets their van in Karachi Foreigners safe after suicide-bomber targets their van in Karachi
  4. Mehar Bano and Mamya Shajaffar’s bold dance videos invite public's wrath Mehar Bano and Mamya Shajaffar’s bold dance videos invite public's wrath
  5. Finance minister rules out further rupee devaluation Finance minister rules out further rupee devaluation
  6. Iran shoots down several drones as Israel ‘launches’ attacks Iran shoots down several drones as Israel ‘launches’ attacks

Opinion

  1. Insights into the Pakistan Stock Exchange's Recent Record High Triumph
    Insights into the Pakistan Stock Exchange's Recent Record High Triumph

    By Zulfiqar Ali Mir

  2. IMEC to sabotage CPEC
    IMEC to sabotage CPEC

    By Dr Asif Channer

  3. 1947 TO FORM 47
    1947 TO FORM 47

    By Dr Asif Channer

  4. Beijing wants to further highlight industrial sector in its country and take scientific innovation to new heights....
    Beijing wants to further highlight industrial sector in its country and take scientific innovation to new heights....

    By Ali Ramay

  5. Global race: China will reduce its unnecessary expenses
    Global race: China will reduce its unnecessary expenses

    By Ali Ramay

  6. Channer Pir: The Great Saint of Cholistan
    Channer Pir: The Great Saint of Cholistan

    By Dr Asif Channer