Bundesliga: football has resumed on tiptoe in Germany

The parenthesis lasted only two months. Even amputated of supporters and celebrations, football ended up finding the lawns. An expected return from all sides, which offered the Bundesliga, the first championship to be exposed to the risk of recovery despite the Covid-19 pandemic, a unique spotlight. Globally retransmitted, this recovery should have attracted, according to several estimates, nearly a billion viewers.

So, at the very least, hundreds of millions of people attended the Ruhr derby, between Borussia Dortmund (2nd) and Schalke 04 (6th) as well as the other meetings organized on the occasion of this 26th day of the german championship. Matches organized behind closed doors, and with a whole series of health protocols: numerous tests among the players and the upstream staff, balls disinfected several times per match, and contact between players limited to the strict minimum.

Here are the # regulations to follow for the resumption of the #Bundesliga today 😁🇩🇪⚽ You

will have to get used to it ... 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/ZKsn17wKNg

All match-balls will be disinfected at half-time in the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga. pic.twitter.com/xpBg7qDJGV

In the preamble to the Bundesliga, the second German division therefore opened the ball early in the afternoon. Several meetings marked, in particular, by silent protests, like this banner, deployed upstream of the meeting between Karlsruhe and Darmstadt: "The balloon rolls, but the system is still sick", one can read.

As you're probably aware, the # Bundesliga's return is not universally popular, either among active supporters or the general public.

Banner behind the goal in the Bundesliga 2 game between #Karlsruhe and #Darmstadt:

“The ball is rolling but the system is still sick!” pic.twitter.com/wjSLwYl7Ji

Then, at 3.30 p.m. local time, the Bundesliga officially becomes the first major football championship to reclaim its rights in Europe. A recovery marked by strong images: social distancing, masks and cathedral silence in the stands.

Crazy atmosphere (literally). pic.twitter.com/uWF9zL1rx4

For the media too, this recovery is unusual to say the least. Commentators, like those of beIN Sport, owner of the Bundesliga broadcasting rights in France, bend to exercise from a distance, in separate cabins.

🚨 Return from #Bundesliga with the Ruhr derby and our duo @ pguillou42 and Charly Sabattier in 2 different cabins @beinsports_FR 🙏🏼☀️ pic.twitter.com/eivNlepkFv

Many media outside the Borussia Dortmund stadium made the trip. Gloomy atmosphere for this Ruhr derby, facing Schalke 04, which usually unleashes passions. But on May 16, silence is omnipresent there too: no supporters, no giant screen outside to follow the match ... Everything was done to avoid mass gatherings.

A very faint ”You'll Never Walk Alone” can be heard outside the stadium.

The quietest ever rendition at Signal Iduna Park on a matchday. pic.twitter.com/MLWO5M8ILd

On the lawn, the Ruhr derby is taking place, not without internet users noting some inconsistencies related to health protocol. Difficult, in fact, to completely prohibit contacts during a football match.

The players do not shake hands but get up with each other when they are on the ground, replacing them who are at a correct social distance while players who will run, breathe intensely will come into contact. It's pretty absurd #Bundesliga # BVBS04

You must therefore have a mask and be at a social distance when you are replacing but you play it is without mask, authorized to stick to each other for a wall ... Everything is consistent yes yes. A football parody against a backdrop of cash. # BVBS04 #Bundesliga

But even under such improbable conditions, some things do not change. The first player to find their way out of the five matches in progress at 3.30 p.m. is none other than the nugget of Borussia Dortmund: Erling Haaland. In the 28th minute, the Norwegian prodigy scored his very first post-containment goal, his tenth in as many Bundesliga games with Dortmund. Protocol requires, the celebration of the players does not fail to react…

Amazing 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/GoCSz1dtkM

A full hour later, the final whistle was heard in Dortmund and several other German lawns. The Bayern Munich runner-up won 4-0, an almost anecdotal result, given the extra-sports stake.

Impossible to know for the moment if the measures taken by the German League will be enough to raise the health questions linked to this recovery. But for now, it is in football that supporters reason, with opinions to say the least mixed. Some welcome the return of football in any form. And others, much more skeptical, regret the implementation of this discount show.

Very happy with the return of football. From a very small part of soccer. But it's already precious.
Hoping that everything is going well for the Germans and that it gives hope and confidence to all other footballs. # Bundesliga

Without an audience in the stands, football is nothing ... #Bundesliga

The Bundesliga, which has resumed before all other championships in Europe, hopes to be able to conclude its exercise on June 27. Other championships could follow suit, notably the English Premier League or the Spanish Liga, even the Italian Serie A. Other European championships have already ended the current season, notably in Belgium, the Netherlands and France.

The summary of the France 24 week invites you to come back to the news that marked the week

Take international news everywhere with you! Download the France 24 app