April 24 – Germany’s Bundesliga has secured agreements with its major broadcast partners that will enable the league to release money to all Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 clubs.
The Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 clubs are planning for a May restart with a season end scheduled for June 30. If the season doesn’t restart or has to be shut down once started, then clauses in the media contracts will mean money has to be reimbursed.
It is a financial risk the Bundesliga is prepared to take but in a statement recognised “this could once more lead to economic difficulties.”
Separately the DFL Executive Committee agreed to release €7.5 million from the solidarity fund provided by Germany’s four Champions-League participants: FC Bayern München, Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig and Bayer 04 Leverkusen.
The money will be equally split between 19 clubs in the 3. Liga and six Women’s Bundesliga clubs.
Back to business
With the May restart in mind the Bundesliga has outline an in-depth health plan to get games played that strict hygiene guidelines, continuous testing and permanent monitoring and a number of contracts for specialist medical support.
The DFL said it will spend €500,000 on coronavirus tests via the public health authorities and any money left over from those tests will be diverted into the public healthcare system.
In terms of staff in stadia for games, the Bundesliga has a plan keeping people to a maximum number of 322 on match days – 98 people on and around the pitch, 115 persons in the stands, and a maximum of 109, including stewards, in the exterior area.
For Bundesliga 2, this reduces to 90 people on and around the pitch, 98 in the stands, and a maximum of 82 persons in the exterior area.
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