German Football League delays decision on Bundesliga return

The German Football League (DFL) announced Tuesday that a decision about whether the Bundesliga could resume next month has been pushed back by a week until April 23.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the DFL suspended top-flight football in Germany on March 13 until at least April 30.

However, negotiations are taking place to see if the Bundesliga could resume in early May, albeit in near-empty stadiums with fans locked out to restrict the spread of the virus.

The top 36 clubs in Germany’s top two leagues had been due to hold discussions via a conference call on Friday, but the meeting has been delayed until Thursday next week.

The executive committee of European football’s governing body UEFA will also discuss the situation via video conference on April 23.

In a statement on Tuesday, the DFL said the delay in Germany is to give clubs and the league “extra time” to prepare for “upcoming decisions” as to whether matches can resume in the top two tiers.

On Wednesday, German chancellor Angela Merkel will host talks about a possible relaxation of the nationwide restrictions put in place to limit the threat of the virus.

If German football does resume in May, it is likely to become the first of Europe’s five main leagues to return since games were suspended across the continent due to the virus outbreak.

The 18 clubs in Germany’s top flight returned to training last week, albeit in small groups with players social distancing, even on the pitch.

Just under 3,000 people have so far died due to the coronavirus in Germany.

The league had hoped to resume play next month but Germany’s federal political system could allow numerous state and federal officials to obstruct games if they disagree.

The league says clubs need extra time to prepare and that any decisions made will be “based on the current political decision-making situation at federal and state level over the coming week.”

‘Venues should stay shut’

Meanwhile, football fans and concert-goers could be barred from seeing their favourite teams and bands play live in Germany for 18 months due to the coronavirus, according to a science expert.

Keeping Germany’s stadiums and music venues closed until well into 2021 “would certainly be very wise” according to Gerald Haug, president of the Leopoldina Academy of Sciences, which advises Angela Merkel’s government on measures to combat the virus. In an interview aired by broadcaster ARD on Monday, Haug added that “as to whether it will last a year and a half, we have to wait and see - there are also more optimistic assessments of the situation.

“But it will certainly last several months more, it could go up to a year and a half.”

The DFL would need the go-ahead from the health authorities for leagues to resume.

Having been closed since mid-March, concert halls and sports venues across Germany remain shut until further notice.

The Leopoldina Academy has advocated a “step-by-step” return to normal conditions if the figures for new contaminations “stabilise at a low level” and if “hygiene measures are maintained”.

Just under 3,000 people have so far died due to the coronavirus in Germany.

Agencies