Germany plans to approve the continuation of the Bundesliga, which was interrupted by a coronavirus pandemic.
The German Football League (DFL) has been pushing for approval for the continuation of the championship for a long time, which is vital for the survival of the sector, which employs 56,000 people in Germany. The DFL also introduced to the authorities a strict sanitary protocol based on multiple tests to detect coronaviruses, which would allow the continuation of the championship with minimal risk.
If the last nine rounds of the Bundesliga can be played, German clubs would raise €300 million from the sale of television rights, which could slightly reduce their losses at a time when a dozen clubs, 36 of them in the first and second leagues, are on the verge of bankruptcy, according to German media.
According to a proposal for an agreement between German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the German regions, the football tournament might indeed begin as soon as in May.
The proposal estimates that the continuation of the championships in the first and second leagues with the aim of “limiting economic damage” is “acceptable”, starting on a date to be set for Wednesday’s telephone session. German media is now writing that it is May 21.
“The continuation of the competition should be preceded by a two-week quarantine, if necessary in the form of training camps,” the proposal states.
German Health Minister Jens Spahn said the protocol was “consistent and could even serve as a model for other sports.”
