Back
16.12.2020Bayer 04

News in brief: Stieler refs #KOEB04 – Carro talks to fans

The German Football Association (DFB) has announced the match officials for the clash on the other side of the Rhine, Fernando Carro recently had a virtual discussion Werkself fans, and the 'Sterntaler’ 2020 event has brought smiles to faces in Leverkusen: Wednesday's news in brief.
crop_imago0048496228h.jpg

Referee Tobias Stieler is in charge of the Rhine derby between FC Köln and the Werkself on Wednesday 16 December (kick-off: 20.30 CET/live on Sky and on Werks11 Radio). The lawyer from Hamburg has refereed 20 games involving the Black and Reds to date with Bayer 04 winning 16 of them (two draws). Stieler showed 20 yellow cards in those games and sent one Werkself player off for two yellow card offences.

Virtual dialogue with fans

A successful start for the 'Bayer 04 surgery': Virtual meetings have become commonplace since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. In these times where face-to-face meetings with more than one person in a room are to be avoided, this is a helpful alternative – which the Bayer 04 fan liaison section also sees as important. Fernando Carro, Bayer 04 CEO, and Meinolf Sprink (director of fans/community) recently held a remote discussion with Werkself fans on current issues relating to Bayer 04. In the coming months there will be other surgeries with Werkself supporters, different hosts and different subjects.

Sterntaler 2020: Successful conclusion

For the thirteenth time, the Leverkusen community foundation have carried out their 'Sterntaler' event. The aim is to provide joy to children and aged persons in the city. Staff and players from Bayer 04 have again taken part in the project this year and fulfilled the wishes of 134 Sterntaler. "It's a matter close to our hearts every year and it goes without saying that we are happy to participate in the 'Sterntaler' event to show our commitment to the local community," said Meinolf Sprink, director of fans/community at Bayer 04.

crop_Sterntaler_Abgabe_3.jpg

DFL: Covid-19 tests before club debuts

As announced by the German Football League (DFL) on Wednesday, the transfer window in Germany will be open from 2 January to 1 February. Winter signings can only be played from matchday 15 (8 to 11 January). The DFL will only issue a players permit if the relevant player can demonstrate they have the required number of negative coronavirus tests according to the pandemic level.

The Werkself return in the New Year on Saturday 2 January (kick-off: 15.30 CET) with a Bundesliga away fixture at Eintracht Frankfurt on matchday 14.

Related News

Kurzpässe vor #B04FCSP
Bundesliga - 14.02.2026

Matchday news #B04SCSP: Targeting third win over optimistic St. Pauli

Barely two weeks since beating St. Pauli in the DFB Pokal quarter-finals, Bayer 04 again welcome the Hamburg club to the BayArena for Matchday 22 in the Bundesliga this Saturday (kick-off: 15:30 CET). The visitors received a welcome confidence boost last weekend with a win over VfB Stuttgart, but the head-to-head record is still very much in Leverkusen’s favour, which Kasper Hjulmand’s team will look to maintain. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in our matchday news.

Show more
Derby win on Carnival friday | 18th matchday
Werkself-TV - 13.02.2026

Women: TV-highlights of 2-1 win in derby against Köln

Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 2-1 win against FC Köln on the 18th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.

Show more
LIVE ab 13.30 Uhr | Die PK vor dem Bundesliga-Heimspiel gegen St. Pauli | 22. Spieltag
Werkself-TV - 13.02.2026

Hjulmand ahead of #B04FCSP: ‘Take a step forward in our quality’

In preparation for the Bundesliga home match against FC St. Pauli on Saturday, 14 February (kick-off: 15:30 CET), the Werkself had a full week of training for the first time since the first match in 2026. At the press conference ahead of the clash against the relegation-threatened Kiezkicker, coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about the intensive work during the week and the lessons learnt. The Dane also announced the good news that Ibrahim Maza is available again.

Show more
Rolfes, Damjanovic, Falkenberg (v.l.)
Bayer 04 - 13.02.2026

Bayer 04 sign striker Aleksa Damjanovic from Red Star Belgrade

Bayer 04 Leverkusen are strengthening the squad for next season with the addition of Serbia U19 international Aleksa Damjanovic. The 17-year-old centre-forward is set to join the Bundesliga club in the summer from Serbian champions Red Star Belgrade. Damjanovic, who also has Austrian citizenship, has signed a long-term contract.

Show more