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The explosive capital derby 1. FC Union against Hertha BSC could be one of the three pilot projects that will test a return of fans to stadiums and halls in Berlin.

In the ongoing Corona crisis, Berlin's professional sport is looking for a low-risk way to play in front of spectators again and thus secure urgently needed income.

For this purpose, the responsible Senate Department for the Interior and Sports has selected three venues, as the Bundesliga club 1. FC Union announced on Thursday: the An der Alten Försterei stadium, the Max-Schmeling-Halle and the Mercedes-Benz-Arena.

"The Senate Department has decided on three pilot projects," said Union communications chief Christian Arbeit.

The Berlin Volleys should start with a game in the volleyball Bundesliga in the Schmeling-Halle, where the handball players of the Füchse Berlin are also at home.

Alba and polar bears are candidates

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In the Mercedes-Benz-Arena, a home game of the basketball players from Alba Berlin or the ice hockey first division team Eisbären is an option as a test run.

The Berliner Ensemble will kick off similar pilot projects in culture on Friday.

"It is wonderful for Berlin and the people in the city that such a small opportunity flares up on the horizon," explained Arbeit.

Union already wanted such a pilot project last autumn with corona tests for all stadium visitors and a strict hygiene concept.

“Of course that feels a little strange.

That is essentially what we presented last August, "noted Arbeit:" We could now argue how many months have passed, but that is of no use. "Rather, Union wants to gather experience from culture and sport together with others how the slow return to normal could be achieved.

Third division club FC Hansa Rostock wants to be the first professional club after months of ghost games to have 777 spectators in the Ostseestadion, which has a capacity of 30,000 fans, in the game against Halleschen FC on Saturday, despite the nationwide increase in corona infection numbers.

The pilot project of 1. FC Union is planned with a low four-digit number of stadium visitors exclusively on the grandstand, informed the Berlin first division club.

Union ready for test run

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It is not yet clear in what form and on what exact dates the test runs of games with a reduced number of fans will take place.

“If it's the derby, it's the derby.

If not, it will be a different game.

We have been working intensively for many months to develop concepts.

We are very well prepared for this, ”explained Arbeit.

The game between 1. FC Union and Hertha will be played on April 4th (6pm) in Köpenick.

The hygiene concept in German professional football is - as can be seen here in Nuremberg - strict

Source: dpa / Matthias Hangst

A week in advance would be enough for the Iron to implement the pilot project.

Most recently, before the league game against Cologne (2: 1), the Bundesliga club had already rehearsed the procedure with corona tests for authorized stewards, helpers and journalists.

Then there should be an evaluation.

Of course, the infection situation in the capital will also be included.