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It is a black Sunday for Swiss sports. First, the cancellation of the soccer match between Zurich and Basel. Then the second impact of the crown: although the new Federal Council measures do not foresee new restrictions on large events, Bern has imposed a cantonal limit: as before October 1, only 1,000 spectators are allowed at large events.
YB and three ice hockey clubs, SCB, Biel and SCL Tigers, are affected by this life threatening measure. Denis Vaucher, league director: “It’s a ‘Chlapf a Gring’, as they say in Bernese. It’s a shot from the hip. It is not understandable from our point of view. Apparently the canton of Bern has not been able to gather enough resources to locate contacts. “
Swiss Olympic writes in a statement that the Swiss sports coordinating organization cannot understand the cantonal decision. “On behalf of Swiss sport, Swiss Olympic hopes that the decision of the canton of Bern will not send a signal to other cantonal governments.”
SCB-Lüthi is pissed off
The head of SCB, Marc Lüthi, does not understand the progress of the canton either: “Only the name is ugly!”, He gets furious, “we have invested more than half a million francs in protection concepts. I myself went up on the ice twice and asked the audience to adhere to the measures. Everything worked. The audience felt safe. There were no crowds. Also outside the stadium. Many stayed home out of fear. Those who were here felt safe. “
According to information from BLICK, the Berne government made the decision on Friday, hoping that it will be enacted nationwide on Sunday. “The clubs were informed shortly before the press release was sent, the league was not contacted at all,” said league chief Vaucher. “The Federal Council certified that the protection concepts in ice hockey are good and that the implementation in practice has been successful. We have not yet had a proven case of infection in the stages. “
“The authorities are completely overwhelmed”
The bad news also hits Biel hard. This is a madness and sheer scare tactic. It cannot be that Federal Councilor Alain Berset explicitly says that big events would work thanks to the protection concepts, but that the canton of Bern closes the bulkheads two hours later, “says EHC Biel CEO Daniel Villard clearly,” authorities had a summer time for capacity building is completely overwhelmed. This was already evident when the protection concepts were approved. Much was delegated or deported. Also, there was no clear communication. Even with contact tracing. A sponsor who had personal contact with an infected person was not informed until a week later. And our U20 coach, who is currently in quarantine with his team, only received his app code after days. “
For Peter Jakob, president of SCL Tigers, doing it alone in Bern is absurd. “I think it is completely wrong to resolve this federally. This question cannot be left to the cantons. Uniform rulers and the same length of saliva are needed for everyone. Our fans in the stadium were incredibly disciplined. No one took off their mask or made a noise. The edits were huge. The development of protection concepts is complex. It cannot be that a canton comes and goes now. We already have a problem keeping the audience happy. The more we pocket and punish the audience, the greater the risk that they will want their money back. It’s unbearable to have to tell the fans that they can’t come anymore. “
Continuation of the disputed league
The big questions for all three hockey clubs: What’s next? For the league director, Vaucher, it is clear that this is a question of survival: “We can only emphasize over and over again the economic disaster this represents for professional sports. The existence of thousands of jobs and all youth work are threatened! Now we have to think about how we can continue with the championship. “
In Biel, the next steps will be discussed on Monday. CEO Villard: “One thing is clear: no club survives with 1,000 spectators.” The SCB has already made an initial decision, as Marc Lüthi explains: “In an extraordinary match we decided to continue playing with 1,000 spectators until the national break. Then a solution is needed. Otherwise it will be very difficult financially. “
YB against Roma in front of only 1000 fans
And with the footballers? YB will face AS Roma at the start of the Europa League group stage on Thursday. But now the highlight can only take place with 1000 people in Wankdorf. The club announced: “YB was surprised by the decision, a few days before the two home games on Thursday against AS Roma and on Sunday against Lucerna. In recent weeks we have been in close contact with the authorities, now we were surprised by the decision on the wrong foot. “
YB also raises the question of existence. In the teacher’s statement he continues: “Of course, the health of the population is our highest priority. But we advocate maintaining restraint and recognizing the great efforts made by Swiss professional clubs, especially when working on the concept of protection that should allow the holding of the games. We see the existence of Swiss professional football in jeopardy if the clubs are unable to welcome spectators back to the stadiums for a longer period of time.
