July 16 – The German Bundesliga is working up plans to return fans to stadia following discussions with health authorities, with the start of the 2020/21 season, September 18, being the target date for opening up of the leagues.
The Bundesliga was the first major European competition to return to closed-door action after the coronavirus pandemic shutdown in March . The DFL, the governing body overseeing Germany’s top two leagues, has published a 41-page guideline for the return of fans, with protocols varying between clubs based on stadium infrastructure and travel routes.
The protocol has been presented to the federal government as the DFL is engaging with authorities to carve out a path forward.
“In order to assist clubs in creating concepts for their individual locations, following further discussions with the ministry, the DFL will continue to devise a guideline for the basic structure of local concepts and release this to the clubs,” said the DFL in a statement.
The DFL has proposed that fans can attend matches when the regional new infections count is below 35 per 100,000 people per week. The decision on whether stadia can be opened to fans will depend on these infection numbers and local health authorities will have the final say. The league body projects a return to capacity crowds once new infections per week drop below five.
The DFL also wants to introduce a blanket ban on alcohol in the stadiums and reduce the number of traveling fans.
“It is important that stadium attendance will be reduced to guarantee a minimum distance of 1.5 meters between spectators, that there will be no standing spaces, a concept to safely travel to and from the games as well as no alcohol in stadiums,” said the Federal Ministry of Health in a statement.
The DFL will also recommend that fans use the corona-warn-app which is available for download in Germany. The app is not mandatory.
Union Berlin have come up with a proposal of their own, suggesting that they would like to fill their stadium, an der Alten Försterei in the outskirts of the German capital, to capacity. The club would allow only ticket holders with a negative coronavirus test, paid for by Union.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1714193102labto1714193102ofdlr1714193102owedi1714193102sni@o1714193102fni1714193102