Bundesliga ready for May 9 restart but German politicians will make the final decision

DFL managing director Christian Seifert has confirmed that the Bundesliga is ready to return next month, but the final decision rests in the hands of the politicians.

There have been a lot of reports in recent weeks about the Bundesliga potentially returning on May 9, with games being played behind closed doors. The DFL held a virtual general meeting with all 36 professional clubs in the first two divisions of German football on Thursday. In the press conference after the meeting, DFL managing director Christian Seifert confirmed that the Bundesliga will return on May 9, provided the German politicians decide that it is safe to do so.

"“The Bundesliga is ready to resume,” Seifert said. “What remains decisive for us is what the politicians decide. If it’s 9 May, we will be ready then. If it comes later, we will be ready on that date. There are certainly numerous reasons to criticise or reject DFL’s approach for purely emotional reasons because it doesn’t feel right.”"

Seifert added that there is currently no defined date for a possible restart, and it would be “presumptuous” for the DFL to set a date right now. The German leaders are due to meet on April 30 to determine whether to lift restrictions on gatherings of more than two people in the country.

"“We have several game plan options. 1 May is no longer realistic. If the signal comes in the next week that it can be 9 May, then it will be 9 May. It’s not up to us whether we can play at all. It is only up to us to create the framework conditions.”"

Seifert also spoke about how the ‘solidarity fund’ will be distributed among clubs in Germany. Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen pulled together to contribute a total of 20 million euros to help struggling clubs in Germany. And Seifert confirmed that 7.5 million euros of the fund will be distributed equally between 19 clubs in 3. Liga & 6 Frauen Bundesliga clubs, with each club getting 300,000 euros.

In order to ensure liquidity of all 36 professional clubs until at least June 30, agreements have been reached with all media partners. But Seifert warned that if the season has to be stopped, the Bundesliga will become “collateral damage” of the coronavirus pandemic.

Regular coronavirus tests will be conducted of all those involved, and 20,000 coronavirus tests are likely to be required to ensure that. The DFL will also pay 500,000 to help make more tests available to the public.

Only 98 people will be allowed in the interior area of the stadium, with a further 115 people in the grandstands, and 109 outside the stadium. If a player tests positive, the health authorities will make a decision on whether a group quarantine is required. The game plan will allow for time slots to make up for matches that may need to be rescheduled.

Seifert also confirmed that the Bundesliga will stop playing if the situation deteriorates, or if there aren’t enough tests available for the general public.