[Sport]Coronavirus and sports: German Cup postponed, final to be rearranged

[H O L D F I R E 流]

-- Bremen in financial trouble Relegation-threatened Werder Bremen will likely need an emergency loan of tens of millions during the coronavirus, according to business executive Klaus Filbry. Incurring debts is "a novelty, but it also reveals the urgency of this not self-inflicted debt crisis. We are obligated to secure the financial survival of Werder," Filbry told SID. In the worst case, around €45 million of income would break away. Without outside help, not even further pay cuts from the team would stem the crisis. "The threat potential is very, very high," Filbry told SID. The DFL recently revealed though, that thanks to agreements with media partners clubs have had their financial status secured for the short term. -- Netherlands abandons Eredivisie season, will not name a champion The Eredivisie top-flight football league in the Netherlands has become the first in Europe to cancel the remainder of its season, bosses announced. They also declared that no champion would be declared this season, with Ajax only a whisker ahead in the standings when the coronavirus stopped play last month. Ajax had been tied on points with second-place AZ Alkmaar, but ahead on goal difference. The Dutch football federation, the KVNB, has said it will award its Champions League and Europa League slots for next season based on the current standings. Earlier in the week, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte had said that large gatherings, including soccer matches, would be banned until September 1. Neighboring Belgium has also nixed the rest of its season, but that decision has not yet been ratified. -- German Cup postponed, final to be rearranged Currently suspended at the semi-final stage, the DFB (German football association) have announced that the final, due to take place in Berlin on May 23, has been cancelled. No official date for the rearranged fixture was decided upon in the video-conference of its board on Friday, but the hope is that it can take place before June 30. "Under the proviso that the match is approved, we'll be facing up to the first 'living-room final', so to speak, in the history of the German Cup," said president Fritz Keller. "The German Cup final is a glittering highlight and finale to every season that thrives on the unique atmosphere inside the stadium and the flair of Berlin. Both are decisively influenced by the fans. In that regard, it is extremely regrettable that this special match will, in all likelihood, also have to take place without spectators in attendance." -- K-League set to return to action on May 8 South Korea's top football division the K-League announced on Friday that the delayed season will kick off on May 8. The league was suspended when South Korea went into lockdown during the coronavirus pandemic, and players have recently returned to training and started playing practice games this week. There have been more than 10,700 cases of COVID-19 in South Korea and 240 deaths according to a tally compiled by Johns Hopkins University. "It would be great to play in front of fans, but if we all play our part in stopping the spread of the virus then they will soon be back in their seats," Incheon United captain Kim Do-hyeok said. -- Beckham set to take part in #AllInChallenge What an offer from former England international and current Inter Miami owner, David Beckham!