The Bundesliga is set to become the first major European league to resume since the coronavirus pandemic suspended action.
Here, the PA News agency looks at the way back for German football and potential lessons for other leagues.
Why is football coming back in Germany?
Government allows #Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 seasons to resume from mid-May – statement by #DFL CEO Christian Seifert ➡️ https://t.co/gySVwf9osf pic.twitter.com/Z6itZJAS2T
— DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga (@DFL_Official) May 6, 2020
Chancellor Angela Merkel announced on Wednesday that federal and state governments had approved the return of the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga in the second half of May. The country has had more than 7,000 confirmed deaths from Covid-19, less than a quarter the total of the UK, and shops have already been allowed to reopen with restrictions on schools also being lifted.
What safety measures are in place?
The Bundesliga will be allowed to continue. #effzeh are pleased about this existentially important decision from the politicians. In agreement with the Köln health authorities, FC will return to team training on Thursday. 📰👇 https://t.co/xCKCeFYWPo
— 1. FC Cologne (@fckoeln_en) May 6, 2020
Teams have been training in small groups for a month and are stepping up contact after a testing regime started. Earlier this week the German Football League reported 10 positive results out of 1,724 tests. Three of those individuals were connected to Cologne, including two players. All 10 people were isolated. Second-tier side Erzgebirge Aue put all of their players and coaching and backroom staff in quarantine on Tuesday after one person tested positive. Two cases out of 1,695 samples in a second wave of testing have proved positive.
Are fans allowed?
The home stands are filling up nicely though! Over 4,500 cut-outs in place and 12,000+ ordered 😍
The website is now live in English too to give our international fans a chance to order their cut-out for €19.00 via bank transfer! 🐎💚
🇬🇧 https://t.co/TbCsi5ICk3 #DieFohlen pic.twitter.com/uqoznBnlHP
— Gladbach (@borussia_en) May 6, 2020
No, games will be played behind closed doors with a maximum of 213 people allowed inside a stadium, including players, staff, media workers and safety officials. However, there will be an illusion of fans at one stadium at least. More than 8,000 Borussia Monchengladbach fans have ordered cardboard cut-outs of themselves to put in their seats.
When will games be played?
🗓🚨 The Bundesliga will return on Saturday, May 16th
Borussia Dortmund will face S04 at 9:30 AM ET / 15:30 CEST
— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) May 7, 2020
The Bundesliga resumes on Saturday, May 16 with Borussia Dortmund's home clash with local rivals Schalke proving to be the highlight of the afternoon fixtures, which kick off at 2.30pm UK time. The 2. Bundesliga restarts two-and-a-half hours earlier. Eintracht Frankfurt will host Monchengladbach in the early evening before Sunday sees Cologne welcome Mainz and Bayern Munich travel to face Union Berlin. Monday night sees Werder Bremen take on Bayer Leverkusen. There will be nine rounds of fixtures with the final day of the regular season falling on June 27.
What is the situation in the title race?
So sieht die Tabelle nach dem 25. #Bundesliga-Spieltag aus. Wie blickt ihr auf das Tableau nach #Spieltag25? Eher 😍 oder 😱? pic.twitter.com/zTezIlvdwR
— BUNDESLIGA (@Bundesliga_DE) March 8, 2020
Bayern sit four points clear of Dortmund in the top flight with RB Leipzig a point further behind and Monchengladbach six points off the top. Bayer Leverkusen are a further two points behind and going for one of Germany's four Champions League spots, while there are also battles for Europa League spots and for survival with Werder Bremen in serious trouble.
Can I watch it on TV?
🚨 CONFIRMED! 🚨
The 2019/20 Bundesliga season will resume from Saturday 16th May 🇩🇪👊
Watch it live on BT Sport! 📺 pic.twitter.com/zfrPGzurgB
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 7, 2020
BT Sport has exclusive rights in the UK to show live Bundesliga matches. Monthly packages for the channels are available for football fans who have been starved of action and do not have a subscription.
