Let’s finish this behind closed doors

BAYER Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes has urged UEFA to allow his side to play Rangers behind closed doors – to ensure the tournament is completed this season.

The German outfit managed an impressive 3-1 victory at Ibrox in the first leg before the coronavirus pandemic took hold and forced the suspension of the tournament.

Bundesliga clubs have now began training once more, albeit in small groups, but it has provided hope that the game can return soon. Serious restrictions and protocols remain in place, however, including daily testing.

Rolfes is desperate for the Europa League to be finished this term, with his club in pole position to make it through to the quarter-final. And while he believes other countries can look at German football for inspiration to get their players back on a football pitch, the former Werder Bremen midfielder hopes UEFA will consider behind-closed-door clashes.

“The players have been back training in small groups for a couple of weeks now,” Rolfes said. “We are constantly in contact with the league about restrictions and requirements. I think our league can also be a role model to some other countries to really get together and unify, so they can play again.

“I think with UEFA, for European football to return, it’s a different, unique situation because you have to unite a continent rather than only one country.

“All countries are making steps forward and I hope to play the Europa League to the end.

“Without a doubt, I think, we will play the remainder of our European games behind closed doors. It’s also in the forecast of the Bundesliga to do the same. The difficulty of it being different countries and the different stages of their fight against coronavirus.”