Around 2.9million football fans in China tuned into an impromptu virtual party following the postponement of Borussia Dortmund’s Bundesliga clash with rivals Schalke. Dortmund originally planned to stage an online viewing party for Saturday afternoon’s Revierderby at Signal Iduna Park, before the game was called off on Friday due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Dortmund chief marketing officer Carsten Cramer, who produced a video message for fans during the viewing party, said in a statement: “We are overwhelmed by the huge response and engagement of our fans for the very first online fan party. “It shows that our fans and football enthusiasts in China are longing for sports interaction these days. “We are looking forward to intensifying this concept and to maintain our commitment to our great fanbase in China.”

Source: Express March 17, 2020 12:22 UTC