Merkel gives green light for Bundesliga to kick off

Germany’s decision that soccer can return this month provided encouragement for players and teams across Europe on Wednesday that the shutdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic could soon be coming to an end.

With COVID-19 infections declining, German Chancellor Angela Merkel declared that the return of the top two leagues could be included in the loosening of lockdown measures.

However, supporters will be locked out of stadiums for some time to come across Europe to contain the coronavirus while there is no vaccine.

The Bundesliga will be the first major men’s soccer competition to resume in Europe, on May 15, after the shutdown of the sport across the continent in March. The Belgian, French and Dutch leagues were all cancelled prematurely after governments decided it is not safe for sport to staged yet — even without fans.

“This ensures that the sporting decisions are made on the pitch and not in the boardroom,” said Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, chairman of Bayern Munich, which has a four-point lead over Borussia Dortmund with nine games remaining.

“Let’s pick up where you left off, Erling,” Dortmund wrote in a tweet linking to a compilation of goals by teenage sensation Erling Haaland.

Croatia announced plans Wednesday to bring back soccer on May 30 and Turkey said it was aiming for June 12 and still hopes to host the postponed Champions League final in Istanbul in August. England’s Premier League and Spain’s LaLiga hope to start up again in June, but are yet to announce a date.