Tuesday, June 15, 2021
Hoeneß sees “bad signal”
Full arena in Budapest causes irritation
The EM in eleven countries ensures that very different rules apply to the stadiums. In Budapest, the arena is almost fully occupied – which arouses criticism from Germany, among others. Uli Hoeneß is hoping that Cristiano Ronaldo does not feel responsible.
A fan meeting in Budapest before the European Championship game between defending champions Portugal and co-hosts Hungary caused criticism against the background of the corona pandemic. In the apparently fully occupied Puskas Arena, there was then a mood like in times before the virus. However, the former Bayern President Uli Hoeneß found the up to 61,000 admitted viewers “a bad signal. One can only hope that nothing happens,” he said on Magenta TV.
In the afternoon, thousands of fans made a two-kilometer walk from Budapest’s Heroes’ Square to the stadium that bears the name of the Hungarian football legend Ferenc Puskas. Supporters mostly dressed in red jerseys marched loudly through the Hungarian capital. They also called the name of Denmark’s star player Christian Eriksen, who collapsed on the pitch on Saturday and had to be reanimated.
Especially at Heldenplatz, the crowded fans hardly kept their distance from each other in times of the corona pandemic. According to eyewitnesses, mouth and nose protection was only worn occasionally. “These pictures show exactly what the EM should avoid. While half of Europe and 95 percent of the poorer world are not yet vaccinated, you behave as if the pandemic is over,” criticized SPD health expert Karl Lauterbach on Twitter. “Inconsiderate and unsporting.”
In the stadium, cheers broke out long before the kick-off when the Hungarian national team, still dressed in suits, led by captain Adam Szalai from FSV Mainz 05, stepped onto the pitch. The Portuguese, on the other hand, were whistled. After the whistle, the spectators loudly cheered on the local national team.
“As players we naturally like to see the stadiums full”
The football euphoria was already high days before the game of the Hungarian national team against Portugal for superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. Many fans had reserved their seats for pub terraces, where the game was broadcast on screens, reported hosts in the Hungarian media.
The Budapest stadium is the only one that can be used to full capacity at the European Championship despite the corona pandemic. “I wish every stadium was full. It’s great for football and the fans. But we’re not the ones who decide,” said Ronaldo the day before the game. “As players, we obviously like to see the stadiums full,” said the 36-year-old Juventus striker.
There is no mask requirement in the stadium, but the recommendation to wear a mask is. However, only a few people adhered to this. Otherwise they stood close together at drink and snack stands.
Foreign fans must present a negative PCR test no older than 72 hours at the stadium entrance. The Hungarian fans need an immune ID to visit the European Championship matches in Budapest – a negative PCR test is not enough for them. Such an identity card is given in Hungary to anyone who has received at least one vaccination against Covid-19 or who can be shown to have survived a corona disease. On Tuesday, the seven-day incidence was 9.9 per 100,000 population.
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