THE Bundesliga’s proposed May return behind closed doors could be in tatters, with chancellor Angela Merkel having extended the country’s ban on gatherings of more than two people.
League CEO Christian Seifert had been optimistic of a return to action next month.
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The Bundesliga’s proposed May return now looks fancifulCredit: Getty – Contributor
But in an interview with the New York Times, he also revealed that it would take around 240 people to stage each match.
With the measures on self-isolating extended, getting this number together in line with safety precautions will be difficult.
And with the ban on gatherings extended until at least the end of August, next season could also be in jeopardy.
Another factor set to provide an obstacle for the Bundesliga is Germany’s system of federal government.
This means that even when restrictions are lifted, each of the country’s 16 states will be able to decide in which way they do so – with approaches likely to differ.
The league’s enforced suspension is set to have a devastating effect on clubs in the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga.
A club as big as Schalke, who average 60,000 gates at home, could go bust – while fellow top-flight side Paderborn are set to struggle.
Meanwhile 13 of the second-tier’s 18 teams could face the same fate.
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Paderborn’s managing director Martin Przondziono told Sport1: “We can manage another one or two months, but then we’re out of air.
“If the TV money doesn’t come, it will be tight for us.”
According to Kicker, a payment of around £265million from broadcasters Sky, ARD and DAZN was missed on April 10 – although they are believed to have agreed to pay up on May 2.
Germany has so far been struck by more than 138,000 cases of coronavirus – with 4,105 fatalities.
Schalke could struggle to survive, despite averaging 60,000 attendancesCredit: Reuters
Meanwhile, in England, all 20 Premier League clubs held a video conference to discuss its plans to combat the crisis on Friday morning.
The prospect of the season having to be finished by June 30 was not raised at the meeting, and clubs are open to concluding the 2019-20 season as late as August.
A Premier League spokesman said: “It remains our objective to complete the 2019-20 season but at this stage all dates are tentative while the impact of Covid-19 develops.”7
How German football is preparing to return in May in wake of coronavirus pandemic
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
