The return of the Bundesliga is confirmed: Germany intends to authorize in May the resumption in camera of its football championship, interrupted because of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a draft agreement between Angela Merkel and the regions obtained on Wednesday by AFP. The resumption of matches in the first and second division, to "limit the economic damage", is considered "acceptable" from a date in May which is not specified, but which could be the 21st, according to German media.
If so, Germany will be the first major European championship to resume competition. France has drawn a line under the end of the season last week and England, Spain and Italy hope, at best, to resume in June.
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The decision to revive the Bundesliga must be confirmed on Wednesday during a video conference between the Chancellor and the heads of regional governments, who have the final say in authorizing sporting events on their territory. "The resumption of competitions must be preceded by a fortnight of two weeks, if necessary in the form of training camps", specifies the draft agreement.
300 million euros
The German Football League (DFL) has long argued for this recovery, which is vital for the economic survival of a sector which employs 56,000 people in Germany. She presented to the public authorities a draconian health protocol, based on the multiplication of tests for the detection of coronavirus, which would make it possible to relaunch competition at lower risks.
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If the last nine days of the Bundesliga (first and second division) can be disputed, the German clubs will recover 300 million euros of TV rights, enough to mop up their losses, while more than a dozen clubs out of 36 ( first and second division) are on the verge of bankruptcy, according to the German press. In the standings, Bayern Munich led the break after 25 days, four points ahead of Dortmund, and can aim for their 8th consecutive championship title.
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The DFL convened a general meeting for video conference for Thursday. Representatives from the 36 clubs, most of which have already returned to training, will need to finalize the recovery plan.
The health plan of the German League is based above all on tests for the detection of coronavirus. Anyone taking part in training sessions or matches will be subject to it at least once a week, and necessarily the day before the matches. Health Minister Jens Spahn says the protocol "is consistent and can even serve as a model for other sports".
"Quarantine" for "positive" cases
On Monday, the German Football League (DFL) announced that ten of the 1,724 people tested in the 36 first and second division clubs were positive. Among the elite, Cologne reported last week three cases (two players and a physical trainer) and two relate to Mönchengladbach (a player and a physiotherapist), according to the regional daily Rheinische Post .
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The "positive" cases will be quarantined, but the rest of the group will not necessarily be. The final decision on the isolation measures, however, is not the responsibility of the clubs, but of the local health offices, which depend on regional powers. For the time being, the rule in Germany is that anyone who has been in close contact with a "positive" case observes isolation for 14 days.
For matches, 300 people will be authorized, and areas created to avoid contact as much as possible: "lawn" area, "grandstands" area and "outdoor" area. For players, handshakes and group photos will be prohibited. Substitutes will occupy only one seat out of two on the bench. The catalog of hygiene and prevention measures does not stop there, and covers training, travel and accommodation.