The quarter-final of the DFB Cup between FC Bayern and RB Leipzig next Wednesday is suddenly under a big question mark due to an announced warning strike by the Munich transport company, which could paralyze public transport around the Allianz Arena in particular
Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen confirmed after the 5:1 win against TSG Hoffenheim that it is currently not certain that the match will take place. „We will inform you tomorrow how we will deal with this,“ explained Dreesen, deliberately leaving it open as to whether the game can go ahead as planned
The background to this is the second MVG strike in just a few weeks, which on Wednesday mainly affected buses and subway trains – the very means of transport that tens of thousands of fans rely on for home matches of the record champions
Arrival and departure as a central problem
According to Dreesen, there have already been intensive discussions with all the authorities involved. „We had a long internal meeting today with MVG, the police and the other authorities that are necessary for a match like this,“ said the Bayern boss. The core problem is not only the arrival, but above all the departure of the spectators after the match. „That will be a challenge. And that cannot be replaced,“ Dreesen made it unmistakably clear
FC Bayern sees itself as having a responsibility towards its fans. The aim is to find possible solutions to at least mitigate the situation. „We have to see how we can alleviate the situation for the fans,“ emphasised the CEO. However, a final decision has not yet been made
Relocation as a possible option
In principle, the match will be played if it is organizationally feasible. „If at all possible, we will play the match, as there are hardly any alternatives,“ explained Dreesen. At the same time, he hinted that a postponement is not out of the question if a viable solution cannot be found
Interestingly, a postponement would at least theoretically be feasible for FC Bayern. As Munich do not have to compete in the Champions League play-offs, a postponed cup match could possibly be made up the week after next. Whether this happens now depends largely on the developments surrounding the strike and the talks with the authorities. One thing is clear: the decision is likely to be made soon – and will be of great importance both in sporting and organisational terms.
