May 7 – Concerns that the resumption of Bundesliga season may have to be put back a week have been dismissed, with May 16 confirmed today for the eagerly-awaited restart, the first of the Big Five leagues to kick off again and a huge morale boost for others planning to go the same way, albeit slightly later.
Chancellor Angela Merkel has given the green light a restart with fixtures taking place behind closed doors amid a ban of mass gatherings in Germany until at least August 31.
The government said the Bundesliga and second-tier 2 could re-start in the second half of May adding that the German football league (DFL) would decide on the exact dates. The DFL have now confirmed that games will resume on May 16. Under the current schedule, the first match would be the relegation battle between Fortuna Duesseldorf and Paderborn.
“Today’s decision is good news for the Bundesliga and the 2nd Bundesliga,” said DFL chief executive Christian Seifert.
“It comes with a great responsibility for the clubs and their employees to implement the medical and organisational requirements in a disciplined manner.”
“Games without stadium spectators are not an ideal solution for anyone. However, in a crisis that threatens the existence of some clubs, it is the only way to ensure the continued existence of the leagues in their current form.”
“The interest [globally] is big. I see reports from across the world that we are the first major league to return. This can only happen because we have the privilege to live in one of the most modern health systems in the world.
“The matches will feel different. After the first matchday, we will all know why we prefer games with fans. But that is the framework we have to operate in and I expect the best possible sport within this framework.”
Like almost everywhere else, the Bundesliga has been on hold since mid-March because of the Covid-19 outbreak that brought football to a standstill.
At the point the season was suspended, champions Bayern topped the table by 4 points from rivals Borussia Dortmund – a lead which sees them as a general priced 2/9 to lift the trophy again. The Bavarians won 7 of their last 8 games and were unbeaten in that period – a 0-0 draw at home to Leipzig the only blot on the copy book since early February. Given their extensive lead, the outright market doesn’t seem too appealing to punters – with the without Bayern market more appealing. Most of the operators listed here price up Dortmund at a general 8/11 favourites, with Leipzig in and around the 11/10 mark, and 25/1 bar.
Germany’s professional teams have been training since mid-April, divided into small groups and under strict conditions, including extensive testing of all players and coaching staff.
Another of the games on the day of relaunch will be the always hotly-contested derby between Schalke and Borussia Dortmund. Champions Bayern travel to Union Berlin the following day. Around 300 people, including players, staff and officials, will be in or around the stadiums during matchdays.
“I would like to thank the politicians for their decision today which has given us the opportunity to end the Bundesliga season,” said Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. “This ensures that sporting decisions are made on the pitch and not at the green table.”
LaLiga back Bundesliga return
With Germany setting the pace, Spain’s LaLiga were quick to congratulate the Bundesliga emphasising the return to a ‘new normal’ and the importance of football to national economies.
A LaLiga statement said:
“From LaLiga we want to congratulate the Bundesliga on the decision of its Government to restart the competition in the latter part of May, in addition to the other leagues that are also reactivating in Poland, Israel, Turkey, Croatia, Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary, Denmark and Portugal.
“It is very good news for European football, signalling the return to a ‘new normal’ and reactivating an industry that has such importance economically and socially. In Spain alone, football represents 1.37% of GDP, 185,000 jobs and 4.1 billion euros annually in taxes.
“LaLiga and its clubs continue working so that football can also return in Spain. This journey began yesterday and today with medical tests prior to the return of training and it will not end until the return of the fans to the stadiums.”
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