The capital derby between 1. FC Union and Hertha BSC on Saturday evening can go ahead without spectator restrictions thanks to an application for full capacity submitted by the host club and approved by the Berlin Senate. For the following Bundesliga matchday, when FC Augsburg will be playing at the Olympiastadion, Hertha BSC has meanwhile also applied for full capacity.
The Hertha application, which has meanwhile been received by the responsible Senate Administration for the Interior and Sport, aims at full capacity, but, according to kicker information, contains a staggering with fewer spectators as a precaution in case the full capacity should not be approved. It is clear to everyone involved that the home match against FC Augsburg on 27 November will not be played to anywhere near the full capacity of 74,475 spectators, even in the event of a positive Senate decision.
In the last pre-Corona home game against FCA, only 27,939 spectators came to the Olympiastadion in December 2018. However, approval of the application would increase Hertha’s leeway. In the past home games – still under 3G conditions – the capacity limit was 25,000 visitors in each case. Against Leverkusen in the last home game so far, 22,187 fansattended the action, and on matchday 9 against Borussia Mönchengladbach, the Olympiastadion was sold out for the only time so far this season, with 25,000 spectators admitted.
Strong with mixed feelings
Union’s request for full capacity at the Alte Försterei had been granted by the Senate. As a result, Saturday’s match against city rivals Hertha will be played in front of a full house for the first time since 1 March 2020 (2:2 against Wolfsburg) – despite rising coronavirus infection figures nationwide. Hertha defender Niklas Stark described the full capacity on Wednesday as “awesome “, but at the same time “a bit strange” and said: “Of course, you have in the back of your mind that the numbers are rapidly going up again at the moment.”
The prerequisite for full capacity at the stadium is the 2G rule passed by the Berlin Senate the previous week and in force since Monday, which only allows those who have been vaccinated and have recovered to enter events. Before the Berlin Senate decided on the comprehensive 2G rule, the clubs were free to decide whether to allow only vaccinated and convalescents into the stadium or – as practised by Union and Hertha so far – to adopt a 3G concept.
Alcohol ban at the Alte Försterei
An alcohol ban is in place at the Alte Försterei for Saturday’s derby, which is classified as a high-risk match. In addition, all spectators must wear mouth-nose protection while away from the pitch. In addition to the Senate regulations, both clubs are appealing to their fans to get additionally tested before going to the stadium and recommend wearing a mask at the pitch as well to provide additional protection against infection.
Meanwhile, a 2G-plus model is already being prepared for events in the capital, which is expected to come into effect next week. Hertha’s home game against FCA would then also be affected. Already on Tuesday, Berlin’s governing mayor Michael Müller (SPD) had declared during a press conference: “We are preparing this for next week, that we have the possibility to implement 2Gplus beyond 2G.” The details of which measures a 2G-plus regulation for outdoor events should include are still open.