May 5 – As the country prepares to become the first of the Big Five leagues in Europe to resume playing, German football authorities say there have been 10 positive results from 1,724 tests for COVID-19 carried out among players and staff of the 36 clubs in the top two divisions.
The tests were part of the German Football League’s (DFL) hygiene concept ahead of a possible restart later this month behind closed doors.
The DFL said the 10 individuals had been isolated and that a second round of testing on all participants would take place this week as clubs build towards a return to team training.
Teams are to undertake a “a mandatory training camp under quarantine conditions before a possible continuation.”
Of the 18 top-division Bundesliga teams, only Leipzig, Augsburg and Borussia Mönchengladbach declined to give details of their test results.
Cologne have had no further Covid-19 infections after three people tested positive last week. The trio are “symptom-free” but remain in quarantine for 14 days, said the club.
The DFL warned clubs in an email from director Ansgar Schwenken late Sunday not to share any more details of results with the media.
Last Thursday, Chancellor Angela Merkel and 16 state governors postponed a decision until tomorrow on whether the Bundesliga could resume. She warned there was still a danger that COVID-19 infections could rise if containment measures were relaxed too soon.
Clubs across the top two divisions have committed to finishing the season by the end of June, just when other leagues are preparing to get started pending health assurances.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1714161035labto1714161035ofdlr1714161035owedi1714161035sni@w1714161035ahsra1714161035w.wer1714161035dna1714161035