We need a new team spirit

What does Corona mean for football? We need a new team spirit

Team spirit is an important and decisive phrase in football. By this, we usually refer to what happens on the pitch; how good individual players surpass themselves through their shared determination. How a coach communicates an idea to his team that empowers them to beat stronger opponents. How a collective that is committed to one another becomes greater than the mere sum of its individual players.

But what even is normal? The Corona crisis is making sure that nothing is normal anymore. Every day, things happen that no one of my generation has ever experienced before. That includes football. I can't remember ever having missed a football match for as many days in a row as in the weeks since the lockdown. Just at the time of the season, when big, decisive matches are usually scheduled, there is absolutely nothing happening in the stadiums – not a single thing. They are empty, and they will remain so for some more time.

Clearly: health is not negotiable. Football must not and should not be played as long as there is a risk that players and fans will be at risk.  

While there is a haunting silence on the pitch, there is a lot going on behind the scenes, in the offices of the clubs and associations. Professional football has to reorganise itself. I am convinced that most clubs in the men's and women's Bundesliga  will overcome the crisis quite well. But in the second and especially the third league, things are already getting much more difficult. There, the clubs are less stable than at the top. The Corona crisis will pose the question of survival for some clubs. Not: “What will happen next?” But rather: “Can we continue at all?”

The term team spirit takes on a completely new meaning in this context. In the times of Corona, team spirit means that in the world of sport we must show solidarity with our opponents. The strong must learn to think of the interests of those that are weaker - especially commercially - otherwise the strong could soon lack opponents who have been ruined by the crisis. 

Perhaps we even need to go one step further. Football in Germany is not an end in and of itself, it is a passion for millions of people: as a hobby, as a spare time activity, but also as entertainment and - allow me to use such big words - a purpose in life. I refer to all the fans, the season-ticket holders, the amateur athletes, but also the countless volunteers who keep the business going in all the leagues, clubs and organisations.

For me, team spirit is about giving something back to the millions of people who are enthusiastic about our sport, especially at this moment of uncertainty. Perhaps now is the time to show your colours. There are countless opportunities to show that football is part of society and that we care about the people in this society. We should seize the opportunity to show that society also cares about football, not just the other way round. By working out specific initiatives of solidarity and paying very close attention to ensuring that the weak members of our society do not suffer a second blow from the crisis We all are one team. We have to look after our teammates.

One more thought. Normally, we always associate football with young model athletes who practice our sport to perfection. But this is only one side of the coin. It is particularly older people among us who take on honorary functions in football clubs and associations. They carry out their work away from the spotlight - mowing the lawn, selling tickets or drinks, doing the jobs that football would not function anywhere without. Let us remember them. They do not only deserve our appreciation. They deserve that we think about how we can help them, encourage them, support them. Those who need help, a phone call, some shopping. Let's give something back to them. They' re part of our team.

Team spirit is required from all of us in these times, more than ever before. Only together can we - each of us - prevent the damage of the Corona crisis from affecting us, our neighbours, our society. Only together - and by this I mean the representatives of the big, rich clubs and the small ones who are struggling to survive – can we ensure that football can retain its unifying power in the future, from the fun and amateur leagues to the professionals.

The crisis is demanding a lot from us. Only if we all take responsibility will we be able to defeat it and overcome its consequences. We are one team. Each of us is needed. Each of us is being thought of. No one must be left behind.