Schalke star, Weston McKennie, glad Revierderby is suspended

DBasia.news –  Schalke and United States national team player, Weston McKennie, was relieved after the duel titled Revierderby against Borussia Dortmund was suspended rather than having to play it enclosed.

On Wednesday, the German Football Association (DFL) officially extended the suspension of football competitions until April 2.

The derby match was originally planned to be played at the Dortmund headquarters without spectators due to the COVID-19 pandemic on March 4, before then finally all matches had to be suspended.

“Don’t get me wrong (interpreting my opinion), but in my opinion we are thrilled because it (the match was suspended),” McKennie told Sports Illustrated.

“Because as a player and with big games like the derby, it can’t be described as playing without spectators. That is one of the biggest matches in Germany, and one of the biggest derbies in the world,” he added.

The US player warned that even though the match was played without the presence of spectators, fans might still gather in various places to watch the match.

“It doesn’t matter whether you close the stadium or not. People will still be in contact with each other,” said the 21-year midfielder.

MCKennie also expressed his concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Although in general the level of hygiene of professional footballers are quite high, he still feels anxious as he does not know where a player goes to spend their time or who they meets.

“The more difficult thing is that some players don’t even show the symptoms of (COVID-19),” he stated.

Before the German League was suspended, McKennie’s club, Schalke, occupied the sixth place with a collection of 37 points. They are ten points adrift of fifth-place, Bayer Leverkusen.