Berlin (Germany) (AFP)
Sports rallies will remain banned in Germany until August 31 due to the coronavirus pandemic, authorities in the country said on Wednesday, but did not rule out the possibility of playing Bundesliga matches behind closed doors.
"Major events (including those related to sport), which play an important role in the spread of the virus, will remain prohibited until August 31," said Chancellor Angela Merkel after a meeting with leaders of 16 regional states.
This decision means that supporters will not be allowed to go to the stadiums until at least September. Bavarian head of government Markus Söder stressed, however, that behind closed doors matches were still an option.
"The Bundesliga was not a topic of discussion today. The League itself is working on security conditions and it will certainly have to be discussed soon: if and in what form closed matches will be possible," said Söder.
The German Football League (DFL) must meet on April 23 its virtual general assembly to decide on a date and conditions for a possible resumption of competitions behind closed doors.
The Bundesliga is currently suspended until April 30, although most of the top teams resumed training in small groups last week.
The League must in particular look into the protocols which will make it possible to accommodate in the stadiums all the personnel necessary for the good performance of a match (TV operators, rescuers, security, teams, officials and journalists) while respecting health regulations.
The objective of the recovery is to recover at least the TV rights due for the last 9 days, and thus avoid an economic disaster which would bring many clubs to their knees.
© 2020 AFP