By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, March 11 (Xinhua) -- Due to the growing number of bans in football and other sports after the COVID-19 outbreak, German clubs fear for their continued existence.
Other than most professional sides, lower league participants highly depend on the income of ticket sales.
"Games behind closed doors are a threat to us. The lower the league, the bigger is the problem," Thomas Sobotzik, CEO of the fourth-tier side Offenbacher Kickers commented.
"In the first two leagues, ticket sales cover ten percent of the budget. For us, it is around 40 percent. That's brutal," the former professional stressed.
Official figures verify concerns.
Bundesliga clubs cover 12.9 percent of their budget by matchday sales. For the second division, numbers grow to 16.8.
Clubs like Borussia Dortmund and Werder Bremen estimate their losses between 2.5 to 4 million per match day when having to play without fans.
Several clubs, such as Dortmund, can cover losses through insurance. Many others, such as Bremen, haven't got insurance covering damage caused by epidemics.
Borussia Moenchengladbach rates losses at 2 million. This Wednesday evening, the "foals" have to carry out their re-scheduled game against Cologne behind closed doors. The delicate duel of the regional rivals is the first behind-closed-doors game in the Bundesliga's history.
Several CEO name so-called "Geisterspiele" (ghost games) a problem and refer to the significance of ticket sales the license procedures. German clubs from the first four leagues need to prove their liquidity to get a license from the German association for the next season.
They claim ticket sales are part of their calculation. Some speak of a cliff-hanger if crowd bans continue for a more extended period.
Many amateur clubs feel trapped while fourth-tier side 1. FC Saarbruecken can count on the unexpected profit of over 5 million euros after the Saarland team reached the semi-final of the German Cup.
Most sides demand to postpone entire match days instead of playing games behind closed doors. Many call for help from the association. To call off the season would have a devastating effect.
For fourth-tier side, Rot-Weiss Essen, games behind closed doors are seen as catastrophic. The former Bundesliga side (last in 1977) is relying on a crowd of 10,000 fans in its home games.
Usual figures in the fourth and fifth league vary between 500 and 12,000.
"We not only depend on tickets but sales in our fan-shop, always packed at matchdays," RWE CEO Marcus Uhlig claims.
Not to forget about catering. Selling the so-called "arena sausage", in German the "Stadionwurst," and beer is an important topic. "We have the highest consumption of beer in the entire country," Uhlig said.
Clubs of other sports such as volleyball, handball, and ice hockey have reported similar difficulties. Handball first division side SC DHfK Leipzig say ticket sales cover over 20 percent of its budget. The problem is worse for lower league sides as it is in football.
Markus Kompp, CEO of the third division side SV Waldhof Mannheim, cuts to the heart of the issue. "Third division clubs are having to count on every single fan. They always face enormous pressure," Kompp said. Now it seems things might get worse.
