The German soccer league is the first of Europe's five major competitions to return to the field
Manuel Neuer. Picture: REUTERS/CARL RECINEThe Bundesliga will resume on May 15, the German league confirmed Wednesday, after Chancellor Angela Merkel and state leaders gave the green light to restart behind closed doors following weeks of shutdown imposed to control the spread of the coronavirus.The political blessing makes the German top-flight the first of Europe's five major leagues to return to the field.
Representatives from the 36 clubs in the country's top two divisions will finalise details in a videoconference on Thursday.“Today's decision is good news for the Bundesliga,” said the league CEO Christian Seifert. “It's a great responsibility for the clubs to implement the medical and organisational guidelines in a disciplined manner.”
His opposite number at Borussia Dortmund — the club second in the table behind Bayern — also welcomed the news. Germany has about 165,000 coronavirus cases and 7,000 deaths, meaning it has so far prevented its hospitals becoming as overburdened as other European countries.With 13 of the 36 teams in Germany's top two divisions reportedly on the brink of bankruptcy, the league desperately needs to claim about €300m from TV contracts if the season is completed.
So far, clubs in the top two divisions have returned 10 positive results for coronavirus from 1,724 tests since training resumed.The latest coronavirus coverage
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