The spread of coronavirus, the measures to combat it, including the postponement Bundesliga football operations, have presented an extraordinary and difficult situation for 1. FC Union Berlin.

The first-team squad and backroom staff, as well as, club employees and subsidiaries are facing up to the challenge together.

The first-team football department has agreed to waive their salaries. The club's managers and employees have also agreed to short-time working arrangements, which will also result in salary cuts. At the same time, we are pulling together to prepare for a full-time resumption of Bundesliga operations at any time. 

"These are exceptional circumstances we have to deal with," said club president Dirk Zingler. "Our club's purpose is football. If it ceases to exist, then it will touch the core of our existence. The management, our staff, the squad and backroom staff have worked hard in recent months to ensure success in the Bundesliga. Now they are giving up a lot of money to get through this crisis together. This willingness cannot be credited highly enough to everyone involved. On behalf of the club's entire management, I would like to thank them for their support. As a club, we'll conquer the challenges ahead and this will best happen, if we work together as the Union family."

"It was immediately clear to us that we would face challenges in the current situation. Over the last few days, we have been in intensive discussions with each other and we agreed that we will participate as a group. We want to get through this difficult time together with all of the Union members," said Union's club captain, Christopher Trimmel.

The club offices, the stadium and youth centre will remain closed until further notice. The same applies to all Union club stores. Any requests will be handled by Email at verein@fc-union-berlin.de.

First-team training is currently suspended until 31.03.2020. Until the end of March, the players will train with their own individualised training programmes. 

In our youth and amateur departments, training and matches will be suspended until 19.04.2020.