08/02/2021 17:49
VfB FRIEDRICHSHAFEN forfeit #CLVolleyM matches after coronavirus outbreak
CEV Champions League Volley 2021 - Men
Friedrichshafen, Germany, February 8, 2021. VfB FRIEDRICHSHAFEN have announced they will forfeit the Pool E matches they were due to contest later this week in the CEV Champions League Volley 2021. As many as six people have returned a positive test for the novel coronavirus in the German camp. However, the remaining Pool E matches featuring TRENTINO Itas, Lokomotiv NOVOSIBIRSK and ČEZ KARLOVARSKO will be taking place as originally planned at Zeppelin CAT Hall A1.
“It breaks our hearts,” says VfB managing director Thilo Späth-Westerholt, describing his emotional state shortly before the start of the Champions League tournament in Friedrichshafen. “Today we had to decide to withdraw the team from participating in the competition.”
The reason for this is the novel coronavirus. The entire coaching staff and three players have tested positive and have been in quarantine / self-isolation since they returned such positive tests. “We made this decision in close consultation with the local and national health authorities,” said Späth-Westerholt. “The health of our employees and the population is more important than participating in a European competition. When we think of all the casualties due to the virus, it is unthinkable to risk anything.”
The first positive case emerged after one of the routine controls. After that, another five people tested positive. Therefore, the forfeit was inevitable. “We cannot completely rule out the possibility of another infection after all,” says Späth-Westerholt, justifying the decision. “Out of respect for our own employees, the visiting teams and the CEV officials, the health risk was too great in the end.”
This brings about a case that should probably be unique in the history of the European Cups. The organising team of a Champions League tournament will not participate itself. The games of the Häfler will result in a 3-0 win for the respective opponent. This means that VfB Friedrichshafen will not progress any further in the competition and will focus on the Bundesliga, which the club leads by a large margin. “In a few days we will be sure that none of the players is contagious and the coaches will be coming out of quarantine,” said Späth-Westerholt. “Only then will we start training again.”
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