Bundesliga can restart in second half of May

GERMANY’S Bundesliga is set to become the first of Europe’s top soccer leagues to get under way following the novel coronavirus stoppage after the government said yesterday that it could re-start in the second half of May.

The government said the Bundesliga and second-tier 2. Bundesliga could restart without spectators, adding that the German soccer league (DFL) would decide on the exact dates. Chancellor Angela Merkel made the announcement, which had been widely expected, as part of measures to begin easing the country’s lockdown aimed at halting the spread of the virus.

The DFL is due to hold an assembly with its 36 member clubs today followed by a news conference in which more details are expected to be given.

“Today’s decision is good news for the Bundesliga and the 2nd Bundesliga,” said DFL chief executive Christian Seifert. “It comes with a great responsibility for the clubs and their employees to implement the medical and organisational requirements in a disciplined manner.”

He added that “games without stadium spectators are not an ideal solution for anyone.”

“However, in a crisis that threatens the existence of some clubs, it is the only way to ensure the continued existence of the leagues in their current form.”

A government statement also said teams would have to go into quarantined training camps ahead of the restart.

The league has been on hold since mid-March because of the coronavirus outbreak.