Goretzka afraid fans will turn away from football due to pandemic

Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka fears some fans may turn away from football due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“It will be a mistake to think that the stadiums will fill up again completely. We must be honest.

“It won’t be that simple, because I fear that the past two years have affected a lot of fans,” he said on Saturday.

The midfielder hopes, however, that the pandemic has made the whole football business aware “that the fans made football so great in the first place.”

“So, as soon as the pandemic situation allows, we should get back to the football we all love —- with a wild atmosphere in the stands and in the pubs,” the player said.

Goretzka is one of the few football players who publicly takes a political stand and talks about social issues, and he appealed to fellow athletes to do the same.

“I will like to encourage every person, every colleague, to take a stand, because I think it’s important to speak out.

“There are already some colleagues in the Bundesliga taking a clear position, that makes me happy,” he said.

The Germany international has the impression that some people would like to speak out, but fear possible consequences.

Due to an injury, Goretzka has not featured for Bayern Munich since the 3-2 win at Borussia Dortmund on Dec. 4.

Recently, he told the club website that he was “in top shape, but my knee is still giving me problems.”(dpa/NAN)