The volleyball men from Germany do not compete against China in the Nations League after a controversy over corona concerns. There had recently been several corona cases in the Chinese team. What bothers the DVV team massively: the test specifications of the world association.
The unworthy end of the Corona Zoff in the Nations League left the German volleyball players very upset and completely desperate. “It makes us angry and stunned,” scolded captain Christian Fromm in an interview with the ARD sports show. After 21 (!) infections in the opposing delegation and unsuccessful requests from the German Volleyball Association (DVV) for a postponement or at least a follow-up test, Fromm and Co. in the Philippine city of Quezon City did not play their game against China – and were for it severely punished by the world association FIVB.
The game is scored 3-0 for the opponent because the local authorities declared the Chinese fit to play. The FIVB pointed out that according to local corona regulations, all Chinese players were eligible to play again from Thursday morning. Reason: All those who tested positive were boosted and symptom-free.
“For us it is incomprehensible how the FIVB does not want to play the game against China five days after the positive PCR tests, without ensuring the greatest possible safety for everyone involved with another PCR test,” said the DVV in an official statement. National coach Michal Winiarski told Sportschau that he “cannot force the players to play against potentially infected opponents”.
According to the German association, the world association did not follow the suggestion to postpone the game to a later date: “Physical health has the highest priority for us as a team. That’s why we made the decision not to play the game against China.” The world association initially only confirmed the cancellation of the game that should have taken place in Quezon City on Thursday, with the reference that the German team refused to play the game.
DVV sports director Christian Dünnes assured the sports show that they would have liked to play against China: “But with the caveat that you can assume healthy opponents.” It is unclear what additional consequences the German selection can now expect from the withdrawal.
Germany has three wins and three defeats in the Nations League and meets the Netherlands on Friday. The next stop is Osaka, where national coach Winiarski’s team will play against the USA, Brazil, Australia and hosts Japan from July 5th.