There were no fans in stadiums as the German soccer league, the Bundesliga, resumed action. The decision to play in empty stadiums, a response to the novel coronavirus pandemic, has created an unfiltered feel during the TV broadcast. Maybe you can’t hear the fans cheering and jeering loudly. But you can hear every kick and almost every comment from each player.
There are no shortage of hot mics to hear the mumbles and grumbles from the athletes. Jean-Clair Todibo learned that the hard way in Borussia Dortmund’s win over Schalke on Saturday. He was caught telling striker Erling Braut Haaland an extremely offensive insult.
Raw moments like this one — as inappropriate as it may be — will be small silver linings in sports during the pandemic. We’ll get up-close and (too) personal looks at the game and the conversations between players. Surely, some athletes will try to curb their bad language, but others won’t be able to help themselves in the heat of the moment.
This is likely the new normal in sports. We might as well find some positives.
