:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69303497/1282270452.0.jpg)
UPDATE [11:20AM EST]
The Bavarian State Chancellery changed its course — somewhat — and has decided to permit 250 people to attend games in Bavarian stadiums. For Saturday’s match against FC Augsburg, Bayern Munich has reportedly decided to allow 250 people (likely to be staff, club legends, and other Bayern-related personnel) into the Allianz Arena:
The Bavarian State Chancellery has decided to allow only 250 fans in the stadiums in Bavaria. FC Bayern are unlikely to allow regular ticket holding fans to attend the game against Augsburg. Instead, 250 helpers, club legends and player/staff relatives could be invited [Bild] pic.twitter.com/pbLAIzsVMI
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) May 18, 2021
For anyone hoping there would be fans for Bayern Munich’s season finale against FC Augsburg this weekend, you will not be happy.
Abendzeitung journalist Maximilian Koch is reporting that local authorities have shutdown the any hopes that fans would finally be allowed back into the Allianz Arena.
Instead, spectators will have to wait until June 2nd to attend live sporting events in Munich — if things stay in the current state or get better:
News: Die Stadt München erteilt den Hoffnungen des @FCBayern eine Absage: Keine Fans im letzten Heimspiel der Saison am Samstag gegen den @FCAugsburg. "Nach derzeitiger Rechtslage sind bis 02.06.2021 keine Spiele mit Zuschauer*innen möglich", heißt es auf AZ-Nachfrage. #FCBayern
— Maximilian Koch (@Koch_AZ) May 17, 2021
The city of Munich gives the hopes of the @FCBayern a rejection: No fans in the last home game of the season on Saturday against @FCAugsburg. “According to the current legal situation, no games with spectators* are possible until 02.06.2021,” it says on AZ inquiry. #FCBayern
Because of the current infection rate, no special exemption will be granted for the Bavarians.
While Bayern Munich has already clinched its 9th consecutive Bundesliga title, many fans would have liked to have been “in the house” as Robert Lewandowski chases his 41st goal, which would break Gerd Müller’s Bundesliga record.
It is a shame that such a momentous occasion — should it happen — will be nearly silent instead of being celebrated by jubilant fans.