The presiding ministers of the German states of Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia, Markus Söder and Armin Laschet, have confirmed that they have given their approval for it to resume in their territories "from 9 May" and "behind closed doors". "The Bundesliga, momentarily suspended by the coronavirus pandemic.

Both politicians appreciated the proposals of the German Football League (DFL). Laschet insisted that hygiene and safety measures must be fully guaranteed. "Perhaps from May 9," he said of the resumption, which in any case will be played behind closed doors. "A weekend with soccer is much more bearable than a weekend without soccer," he said.

In addition, everything should count with the approval of the Robert Koch Institute, the German federal government agency responsible for disease control and prevention. "Closed-door matches are possible again. It is critical that the risk of infection is minimized," German Health Minister Jens Spahn told the Bild newspaper. "That could be normal for millions of soccer fans starting May 9, even with empty stadiums," he added.

Both the Bundesliga and the second division are suspended at least until the end of the month. "These are positive signs," said DFL executive director Christian Seifert . "It gives both leagues an important perspective. The politicians trust us and we, especially the players, must be role models," he stressed.

"A very positive sign"

Bayern Munich president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge praised the political will to resume football and said the statements by Söder and Laschet were "a very positive sign for the resumption of Bundesliga matches." Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watkzke recalled that the championship "has not yet been decided."

Nine days of the Bundesliga remain to be played, with Bayern Munich leading, and playing them behind closed doors would save many clubs from a possible economic disaster by being able to fulfill television contracts. Kicker magazine reported that Sky's final payment to the league of € 304m did not go as planned earlier this month.

Germany began easing confinement measures on Monday, allowing smaller stores to reopen, but mass events have been banned until August 31.

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