German soccer ready for kickoff (behind closed doors)
BERLIN — Soccer matches in Germany's top two divisions will begin without spectators from May 16, making it the first major European country to announce a return to top-flight soccer.
The announcement by the Deutsche Fußball Liga association on Thursday follows talks between Chancellor Angela Merkel and the leaders of Germany's 16 federal states that included a commitment to allow the Bundesliga to resume in the second half of May with strict hygiene protocols in place.
Those in favor of a restart include the leaders of Germany's populous states of Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia, but critics argue such a quick restart will be a drain on testing resources.
Earlier this week, the DFL said it had tested 1,724 players and staff across the 36 teams in the two leagues and found 10 positive coronavirus cases. A second round of 1,695 tests has just been completed with two further infections, the association said Thursday.
The DFL was keen to finish the season, which has nine rounds of games to go, by the end of June to comply with sponsorship and broadcasting agreements. Under the revised timetable, the final round of Bundesliga games will take place on June 27, the DFL said.