A Winter Schedule?
October 21, 2007
Global warming and modern stadiums could make the traditional hibernation period obsolete in the future, even though the six-week layoff allows players to recharge their batteries in mid-season.
The winter break originated from poor pitch conditions which in the past led to cancellations of matches. This season there will be no play between Dec. 17 and Jan. 31.
Germany is the only big European soccer nation which takes this break. The English Premier League takes no time off and rather has a popular full round of action on Boxing Day. There is only a short pause in Italy and Spain over the festive season.
The issue is on the agenda of the German soccer league (DFL), but plans to scrap the break from 2009 onwards have so far not become reality. A DFL spokesman said "a few parameters have changed" over the years.
Changing parameters reopen discussions
Erwin Staudt, the president of Bundesliga champions VfB Stuttgart, agreed a change of schedule was worth evaluating.
"This is no sacred cow, you can think about it," Staudt said in a survey by the German DPA news agency.
The only consensus is that the weather no longer warrants the break.
Global warming with less snow is one aspect. Another is that icy pitches no longer exist because all German professional clubs have a heating system for the playing field. Cancellations these days only occur if the stands or stadium roofs can't be cleared from snow.
Money is another factor as a Bundesliga round on Boxing Day would generate big television audiences and advertising income.
Those who favor the break say that players get a mid-season rest. Most clubs allow the players a fortnight off with their families over Christmas and New Year's Day, followed by a training camp in sunny and warm regions.
A break for rejuvenation is clever, say supporters
"Other countries say that the Germans are clever because the players recuperate and get a breather in this period," said former Germany coach Rudi Völler.
SV Hamburg coach Huub Stevens warned that "players will be in action all year if the break no longer exists," but Staudt pointed out that players in England appear to have no problems with this -- and they have an even heavier overall match schedule.
A longer summer break would be mandatory if hibernation is scrapped, but Völler is probably not the only one who believes that there will never be a common agreement over the issue.
"There is no absolute truth, no ideal solution," said Völler.