Germany back on field by Saturday

● Professional soccer leagues around Europe are gearing up for a return to action. Here is a roundup of the state of play:

GERMANY

The Bundesliga season will restart on Saturday, making it the first European league to resume amid the pandemic.

The season will resume under strict health protocols, with no fans allowed in stadiums and several matches, including the Ruhr valley derby between Borussia Dortmund and Schalke 04, taking place on Saturday.

ENGLAND

The 20 English Premier League clubs have discussed plans for a resumption of training this month followed by a possible return to action in June.

The league cannot take any steps until a government decision on possible changes to lockdown restrictions.

Clubs were told that in the case of a resumption, matches would be played only at neutral venues that have health and safety approvals.

SPAIN

First and second division teams can begin training. The leagues hope to resume matches next month.

ITALY

There is still doubt whether Serie A can restart, with cabinet ministers, the Italian football federation, the Serie A league and clubs giving conflicting information.

Teams began training last week, but the federation’s medical protocol has been described as “insufficient” by sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora.

FRANCE

The season was called off by the government but two relegated clubs, Amiens and Toulouse, are threatening legal action against the government’s decision and the ruling body’s agreement.

The Netherlands decided the top five teams will compete in next year’s European competitions

BELGIUM

This was the first European country to cancel the season, but a formal decision was postponed four times until last week. On Wednesday, the government ended any chance of the season resuming when it extended a ban on sports events until July 31.

NETHERLANDS

The Dutch FA called time on its season on April 24 after the government banned public events until September. No champion was declared, but it was decided the top five teams at the time of the suspension of the league would compete in next year’s European club competitions.

PORTUGAL

The Primeira Liga is one of a handful to set a date so far and plans to restart on May 30. Teams began training on Monday.

RUSSIA

The Russian Premier League has put forward a plan to resume the season on June 21 or 28 and proposed two solutions to clubs for the campaign to restart, with eight rounds remaining.

The league has been discussing with health authorities the best way to resume group training sessions.

SWITZERLAND

The government has given permission for training from tomorrow and matches to restart on June 8. However, the football league said there were still financial and health issues to be resolved.

TURKEY

Turkey’s domestic league will resume from June 12 and aims to complete the season on July 26, the country’s football federation chair, Nihat Ozdemir, has said. Turkey also plans to host the European Champions League final in August.

UKRAINE

The last meeting of the Ukraine Football Federation was on April 29. There is no decision or plan so far. The Ukraine Premier League wants to complete the league and cup season but says it cannot make any plans until the government eases the lockdown.