Bundesliga: German top-flight football league to return to action in May

By Tom Carnduff

Football

Wed May 06, 2020 · 5y ago

The German government has given the go-ahead for the Bundesliga to resume this month, with Friday May 15 still a possible start date.

The move will make the Bundesliga the first of the five major European domestic leagues to resume since the coronavirus pandemic halted play.

Politicians have backed the league to resume their season behind closed doors, but the exact date for play to begin will be discussed with clubs on Thursday. It's set to be either May 15 of May 22.

German chancellor Angela Merkel told regional authorities on Wednesday that competition could restart in the second half of May. The 36 clubs will hold a conference call on Thursday to finalise a resumption date.

Christian Seifert, the managing director of the German Football League (DFL) said: "Today's decision is good news for the Bundesliga and the 2nd Bundesliga.

"It is associated with a great responsibility for the clubs and their employees to implement the medical and organisational requirements in a disciplined manner.

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"Games behind closed doors 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.

"On this day, I would like to thank the political decision-makers from the federal and state governments for their trust."

Football in the country has been suspended since mid-March with France and the Netherlands, two of Germany's neighbours, already deciding to end their campaign early.

The Eredivisie effectively made their league 'null and void' with no title, relegation or promotion while France's Ligue 1 took the points-per-game method which handed PSG another trophy.

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There are still nine rounds of fixtures to be played in Germany, with Eintracht Frankfurt and Werder Bremen both having a game in-hand.

As part of the move, no spectators will be allowed inside the stadiums while players and staff will undergo regular testing to help stop the spread of the virus.

The news comes despite ten people connected to teams in the top two divisions testing positive for coronavirus.

Cologne had already announced that three people at the club tested positive for coronavirus - yet training will continue ahead of the Bundesliga's return.

The German Football League (DFL) said 1,724 tests had been conducted on players and staff at the 36 first and second tier sides since last Thursday, who are building towards a return to action this month subject to government approval.

The DFL said the ten individuals had been isolated and that a second round of testing on all participants would take place this week as clubs build towards a return to team training.

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How does the return of football stand around Europe?

Premier League: Project Restart aims to begin behind closed doors matches in June but neutral venues are citical and several teams are opposed to that at present.
EFL: There are plenty of unhappy parties in the English Football League (EFL) but there's no clear indication of what will happen as yet. Chairman Rick Parry talking about fans being able to watch their teams play behind closed doors through would suggest they aim to finish the season.
Non-League: National League clubs held a vote and decided to end the current season and cancelled their remaining fixtures. Promotion and relegation issues are yet to be decided.
Scotland: It's a bit of a mess. A vote among the 42 SPFL clubs came out in favour of ending the season of all leagues below the Premiership, but that has not gone down too well with everyone, with legal threats now ensuing.
Germany - Bundesliga: The league are preparing to launch plans to return to football in May.
Spain - La Liga: LaLiga president Javier Tebas does not believe his country should cancel the league like France and the Netherlands. However, Spanish health minister Salvador Illa has claimed football is unlikely to be allowed to return until the summer.
France Ligue 1: One of the leagues to take decisive action, France have handed PSG the title and confirmed European places, promotion and relegation on a points per game basis from the final standings.
Italy Serie A: Teams are due to be back in training on May 18 after an announcement by Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte.
Netherlands Eredivisie: The Dutch FA announced they would be voiding the current season and not crowning any champions with Ajax and AZ Alkmaar level on points at the top.

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