With nearly two months without football in the major European leagues, the German Bundesliga will finally return on Saturday, May 16.
Football fans have starved without regular football action over the weekends. With the Premier League weeks away from finalizing its return following disagreements over venues, Bundesliga has officially confirmed its resume dates becoming first Europe’s first major league to resume.
It has been decided that matches will begin from May 16, restarting from game week 26 and playing through to a final round of matches on the weekend of June 27.
All matches will take place behind closed doors and televised live in BT Sports according to the German government.
The news comes a day after the German chancellor, Angela Merkel gave Bundesliga the OK to resume its season in the second half of May. This after a teleconference with state government leaders to set the return guidelines.
Christian Seifert, chief executive of the DFL said, “Today’s decision is good news for the Bundesliga and the Bundesliga 2.”
“It is associated with a great responsibility for the clubs and their employees to implement the medical and organizational requirements in a disciplined manner.”
“Games without spectators are not an ideal solution for anyone. In a crisis threatening the very extensive of some clubs, however, it is the only way to keep the league in their current form.”
Team members will be isolated in a hotel prior to the restart of the season. Once the season gets underway, the athletes will receive at least two COVID-19 tests in the build-up to each match.
Among the highlights of the first round of fixtures is the Ruhr derby between Borussia Dortmund and Schalke.
Reigning champions, Bayern Munich who are four points clear of Dortmund will resume their quest to retain their title against Union Berlin on Sunday, May 17.