Bundesliga 2: Match between VfL Osnabrück and FC Schalke 04 cancelled – rescheduled for 7 May

02 May 2024 – The Bundesliga 2 match between VfL Osnabrück and FC Schalke 04 scheduled for next Saturday, 4 May 2024, cannot take place as originally planned. The city of Osnabrück has issued a written order, effective immediately, which temporarily halts the use of the Bremer Brücke stadium until structural defects can be addressed. Specifically, this is due to structural defects in the construction of the stadium’s roof and associated safety risks. The match will therefore be cancelled and rescheduled for Tuesday, 7 May.

Since the information on the stadium became known on Tuesday afternoon, the DFL has sought all options with both clubs to organise the match as quickly as possible. It was not possible to relocate the match to another stadium on the original date on such short notice, partly due to legal regulations. In accordance with paragraph 2 section 2 of the DFL e.V. match regulations, any change to the match date, kick-off time or venue must be announced to the clubs involved at least four days in advance.

After the DFL received the written order on Thursday afternoon and conducted an immediate legal review, it became clear that it would not be possible to address structural defects on such short notice and thus ensure the match could be played at the Bremer Brücke stadium promptly.

However, particularly in the season finale, the DFL considers it necessary to protect the integrity of the competition by playing a cancelled match of a certain match day before the following match day in order to maintain the chronological order of the fixture list. Weighing up the interests of the clubs involved, the DFL has therefore rescheduled the match for next Tuesday, 7 May, at 18:30. The planned venue will be the Millerntor Stadium, the home ground of FC St. Pauli. The decision to reschedule was made after consultation with both clubs in agreement with FC St. Pauli, media partner Sky and the authorities for public safety.