Winter weather puts Bundesliga matches in doubt
| Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images |
The Bundesliga is set to return from a three-week winter break this weekend, but weather conditions in Germany have cast doubt over whether all matches will go ahead as planned, with heavy snow and strong winds expected in the next 24 hours.
According to DPA, the German Football League (DFL) said on Thursday that it currently expects all nine top-flight games to be played, but it will closely monitor conditions as the weekend approaches.
"The DFL is alarmed. But as it stands now all games are set to be played," the spokesman said.
The northern and eastern parts of the country are expected to be hit hardest by the weather, putting St. Pauli vs. RB Leipzig, Werder Bremen vs. Hoffenheim and Union Berlin vs. Mainz under particular scrutiny.
St. Pauli warned on Thursday that it cannot guarantee their match against Leipzig will proceed as planned:
"Given the weather conditions, we cannot guarantee that the match will be able to take place under the current circumstances," the club said, according to DPA.
Meanwhile, Union Berlin fans have been volunteering to clear snow in preparation for their game against Mainz.
"If we had to play today, the match would take place," Union Berlin spokesman Christian Arbeit told Bild on Thursday.
"We are working around the clock to make everything possible. Fans and staff are helping and hoping it will be successful."
