Bundesliga Leads Europe’s Football Resumption Amid COVID-19 Safety Measures
The Bundesliga is the first major European football league to resume play post-lockdown, with Borussia Dortmund hosting Schalke in an empty stadium. Strict hygiene protocols and regular testing were implemented for safety. Clubs are financially strained, facing deadlines for matches to secure TV revenues. Overall, this return is being monitored globally, with varied public sentiment regarding the safety and significance of resuming football.
The Bundesliga has made history as the first major European football league to resume play following the COVID-19 lockdown. On Saturday, Borussia Dortmund hosted Schalke 04 in the highly anticipated Ruhr derby at Signal Iduna Park, which was empty except for 300 people, contrasting significantly with its normal capacity of 82,000. The atmosphere was eerily quiet when Erling Haaland scored for Dortmund, with only players’ voices echoing in the stadium.
Earlier in the day, the second division, Bundesliga 2, resumed with four matches; South Korean forward Lee Jae-Sung netted the first league goal in over two months for Holstein Kiel. The DFL ensured a safe return by conducting regular virus tests on players and staff, implementing strict hygiene protocols, and keeping teams quarantined for one week before the matches. Teams maintained social distancing while arriving at the stadiums, and celebrations were limited to avoid physical contact.
While Germany has experienced fewer COVID-19 fatalities compared to other parts of Europe, large crowds remain prohibited from attending events. The following day, Bayern Munich will reinitiate their title defense against Union Berlin after leading the Bundesliga by four points at the season’s suspension. The DFL is under pressure to complete the remaining nine matches by June 30, which could result in approximately 300 million euros in broadcast income.
The Bundesliga’s return attracts global attention, particularly from fans in Brazil and Mexico, as clubs in England, Spain, and Italy look on with interest. However, concerns have been raised regarding fans potentially gathering near stadiums despite police appeals to stay home. Bayern coach Hansi Flick highlighted the significance of the league’s return, suggesting it could inspire other leagues to follow suit.
Despite this, some individuals have breached safety protocols, such as Augsburg’s coach Heiko Herrlich, who left the hotel to purchase toothpaste and subsequently ruled himself out of the match. Union Berlin’s coach, Urs Fischer, faces a similar situation after breaking quarantine due to a family bereavement. Meanwhile, ex-Chelsea player Salomon Kalou was suspended for breaching social distance guidelines during training.
Bavarian state leader Markus Soeder has emphasized the importance of adhering to established health measures, underscoring that failure to comply will result in consequences. In total, COVID-19 has claimed over 7,800 lives in Germany, and a poll indicated that 56% of the public opposes the return of football. Conversely, UEFA’s president Aleksander Ceferin believes the league’s resumption is a positive indication for society, noting that sport can offer much-needed normalcy and morale during uncertain times.
Original Source: www.france24.com
