Borussia Dortmund: Bundesliga suspended with immediate effect

The DFL have announced that the Bundesliga will be suspended from this weekend until April 02, meaning Borussia Dortmund’s weekend derby against Schalke will be postponed.

All Bundesliga games of matchday 26 were earlier set to be played without any fans in the stadiums. The DFL said earlier today that the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga would be suspended from next Tuesday until April 02. But now they have announced that this weekend’s matches will no longer take place either.

In a statement they said that there is suspicion of coronavirus cases in direct connection with clubs in the top two tiers of German football. The statement adds that the DFL hope to still finish the season by the summer.

That means the suspension of two match days, since a two week international break is scheduled to follow next weekend’s games. Matchday 28 is due to get underway on April 03, with Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich set to lock horns a day later.

The football world has been rocked by coronavirus in the last seven days, with a number of confirmed cases in the sport. Juventus defender Daniele Rugani, Sampdoria striker Manolo Gabbiadini, Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta and Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi have all tested positive for coronavirus. In Germany, two Hannover 96 players Timo Hubers and Jannes Horn have also been infected. Paderborn head coach Steffen Baumgart was also tested but results came out negative.

The Spanish, Italian, English and French football leagues have also been suspended. UEFA Champions League games scheduled for next week have also been postponed. This summer’s European Championships are now also likely to be postponed as leagues across Europe look to finish their seasons.

Matchday 26 was set to get underway tonight with Fortuna Dusseldorf to play SC Paderborn in the evening game. Borussia Dortmund were due to host Schalke 04 in front of an empty Westfalenstadion on Saturday. But those matches will no longer take place.