Bundesliga is set to be Europe’s first top football league to start the Premier League to complete its season amidst the coronavirus pandemic.
This follows a nine-day clearance to resume the football in Germany, though fans will not be allowed into the stadiums.
Government officials have confirmed the remaining nine or 10 games remaining for clubs can be played from the second half of his month, with the league announcing matches will start from May 15.
Getting the green light from Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany is significant for English top-flight teams, who have been watching Bundesliga progress carefully as they came to training.
With German clubs considered a month ahead in their progress in returning to action, there will be the hope of joining them like a major league completing the season behind closed doors. France and Holland have so far scrapped their campaign.
“We are now looking forward to resuming play, ideally from mid-May,” said Bayern Munich chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. “This ensures that the sporting decisions are made on the pitch and not in the boardroom.”
The league has nine matchdays remaining, and there is a commitment to finish the season by June 30. Fans will not be allowed into stadiums, with a ban on mass gatherings in Germany until Aug. 31. Bayern Munich lead the Bundesliga by four points.
Christian Seifert, chief executive of the DFL, said: “Today’s decision is good news for the Bundesliga and the Bundesliga 2.
“It is associated with a great responsibility for the clubs and their employees to implement the medical and organisational requirements in a disciplined manner.
“Games without spectators are not an ideal solution for anyone. In a crisis threatening the very existence of some clubs, however, it is the only way to keep the leagues in their current form.”
“The eyes of Europe and all of the world will be on us,” Germany and Bayern Munich captain Manuel Neuer wrote in an op-ed in German broadsheet FAZ on Wednesday. The goalkeeper highlighted the responsibility on German football’s shoulders and said it has acted as a role model for society.
Bundesliga matches have been suspended since March as the virus swept through Europe and led to sport shutting its doors.
But they were the first to have players coming back in training and taking part in sessions while observing social distancing.
There were concerns when Cologne reported three positive results last week but crucially they continued training while the infected staffers were isolated. Hertha Berlin forward Salomon Kalou also filmed himself ignoring social distancing measures and he was suspended as his team-mates stepped up preparations for returning.
(Telegraph)
