The Bundesliga, Germany’s top-flight football competition, will become the first major European division since the coronavirus outbreak began to resume its fixture list.
According to official figures, around 7,000 people have died in Germany from Covid-19 – a much lower figure than in other western European countries including the UK, France, Italy and Spain.
German football has been given the green light to restart later this month, but will do without crowds, while clubs’ playing and coaching staff are expected to follow strict safety protocols.
While France opted to cancel their football season, German Football League chief executive Christian Seifert said he was glad that the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga, the second division, had not been forced into a similar decision. Seifert suggested that completing the season would maintain sporting integrity and help clubs to still receive revenue from broadcasters.