Bundesliga to restart on May 15 after receiving government green light

The Bundesliga is set to make its long-awaited return on May 15 after the German political leaders gave the league the go-ahead.

The leaders of the federal and state governments in Germany, led by Chancellor Angela Merkel, held a virtual meeting today to make a decision on further easing coronavirus restrictions in the country. Among their decisions was to give the Bundesliga and the 2.Bundesliga the green light for the return of football in the second half of the month.

The German Football League (DFL) presented a suitable health concept, and we are now a big step closer to the return of the Bundesliga later this month. Ahead of tomorrow’s meeting, the DFL have decided to restart the the top two leagues of German football on May 15.

In a letter to the 36 professional clubs in Germany, DFL boss Christian Seifert wrote, “After weighing up all the arguments, the DFL Presidium today decided in circulation to restart the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 matches from May 15, 2020.” [Kicker]

The leagues are expected to restart with Matchday 26, meaning Borussia Dortmund will host rivals Schalke 04 in front of an empty crowd in the first game back.

Players, coaches and support staff of all 36 professional clubs in Germany were tested last week, as over 1700 coronavirus tests were carried out in the first wave of testing. Of those, ten people tested positive, including three from FC Köln (two players and a physio) and two reportedly from Borussia Mönchengladbach (one player and one physio).

The second wave of tests are being held this week, with second division side Erzgebirge Aue already announcing that their entire team is in quarantine after a positive test was found.