Phoenix versus VfB: City forbids derby in the Buniamshof stadium

1. FC Phönix Lübeck has to swallow a very bitter pill: The regional league home game of the year, the city derby against local competitor VfB Lübeck, which is set to rise on February 12, 2022, may not take place at the Buniamshof as planned. The city of Lübeck has now communicated this to the club, instructing it to name an alternative – such as the opponent’s wage mill. Phönix sports director Frank Salomon is outraged, speaks of injustices and threatens to move to another stadium for the derby – if necessary, they would even play against VfB in Kiel.

Not enough space at the Buni?

The “letter of the impetus” to Phönix comes from the “School and Sports Department of the Hanseatic City” and it is available to the Lübecker Nachrichten. There is talk of a “joint assessment by the police and the municipal public order office”. “We are surprised by this decision,” said Phönix sports director Frank Salomon when asked. “The first leg (2: 2, the editors) was a football festival in which there were no incidents.”

The city is concerned nonetheless, refers to that First leg on October 1st, which saw 5877 spectators in the Lohmühlen Stadium. This fact shows that the interest in the derby is very high. “The Buniamshof has a capacity of a maximum of 2300 people to hold a regional league game (without corona-related restrictions), 1100 of them in the guest standing block. On the basis of the current Corona regulations, only a maximum capacity of 1150 people would be permitted. This could even decrease through further restrictions. The Buniamshof pitch can also be viewed from various locations outside the stadium (Wallanlagen, Possehlstrasse), ”the statement said.

The city continues: “According to the current Corona regulations in connection with an approved hygiene concept, the Lohmühle stadium has a permitted number of spectators of at least 3,800 visitors, which could possibly be increased to 5,000 if necessary. The playing field can only be seen at a small point (driveway hardware store). “

Derby at the Lohmühle “no alternative”

As a result, it was stated: “In particular, VfB Lübeck currently still has the chance to get one of the places to take part in the relay promotion round. As a result, the fans’ interest in the derby should be very high. The capacity of the Buniamshof is clearly too small for this with 1150 places. As a result of the under-supply, larger fan gatherings on the various viewing opportunities outside the stadium are very likely. It is hardly possible to prevent this in the extensive outdoor area, including the prevention of possible violations of corona regulations or uncontrolled pyro actions there. At the Lohmühle location, however, the security-relevant framework conditions would be much better, also under the aspect of a significantly higher audience capacity. There appears to be no alternative to the game being held in the Lohmühle stadium. “

Phoenix is ​​considering other options

For this reason, the club is advised to contact the North German Football Association and their security officers and discuss a location swap (new location at the Lohmühle stadium). According to Salomon, however, the Lohmühle represents an absolute home advantage for VfB Lübeck, “which we cannot freely offer. We don’t see ourselves as a point supplier. On the contrary: we want to win the game. ”

For the sports director, there is an imbalance in public perception. “The idea is too much cemented that VfB is the absolute power in Lübeck and that we only play a subordinate role,” he emphasized and added: “We play in the same league. If we win the derby, VfB may have to go into the relegation round and that’s where the points count for us. The regional league is not a fun league where you simply go to the championship round. As of today, it is not certain that VfB might even be behind us at the end of the season. ”

Regarding the security concerns mentioned, Salomon said: “The Buni was officially approved for the Regionalliga. If VfB plays at Altona 93 or in Drochtersen, there are no fewer places for the guest fans. The reason is not accessible to me in the long term. ”The 57-year-old announced that he would seek personal talks with the city. At the same time, one wants to examine options to move to another regional league suitable stadium in Kiel, Norderstedt, Eichede or Hamburg. “That would be a shame for the sports city of Lübeck,” said Salomon.

From Volker Giering