Bundesliga is set to be the first major European league to resume amid the pandemic after the 36 clubs in the top two divisions decided on a May 9 restart.
Matches will take place behind closed doors with a maximum of 322 people allowed in and around stadiums for top-flight Bundesliga matches and 270 for second-tier games.
The final decision on whether the planned resumption will be put into practice will rest, however, with the German Government and state health authorities.
Germany’s Bundesliga would be the first league in Europe to resume during the coronavirus pandemic, with the 36 clubs of the top two divisions signing off on a May 9 resumption
Germany’s Bundesliga would be the first league in Europe to resume during the coronavirus pandemic, with the 36 clubs of the top two divisions signing off on a May 9 resumption
RB Leipzig’s Timo Werner and other Bundesliga players could conclude the season from May 9
RB Leipzig’s Timo Werner and other Bundesliga players could conclude the season from May 9
Drastic changes will need to be made, however, to conform to hygiene standards with widespread testing of players and coaches at an estimated cost of £2.2million, pitchside sinks and protective masks mandatory for some in attendance.
The German football league (DFL) has estimated that 25,000 coronavirus tests at around £90 each will be needed to check each player on at least a weekly basis.
DFL CEO Christian Seifert said: ‘The Bundesliga is ready to resume, no matter whether on May 9 or a later date. But it’s not up to us to find a date. The political decision makers decide.
‘We have not defined an exact date today. The fact that we are even able to think about resuming games underlines the performance of the German authorities.
‘It would be presumptuous for the DFL to name an exact date for the restart.
‘It’s not in our hands if we return or when. We have several options. If the signal comes in the next week that it can be May 9, then it will be May 9.’
The next federal government conference, which could give the green light for the plans, is scheduled for April 30.
On the issue of testing, Seifert added: ‘Professional football would not even consume 0.4 percent of the available test capacity in the country.’
He said there had been 14 positive Covid-19 cases among 1,100 licensed players and all had recovered.
Stadiums such as Borussia Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park will remain closed to spectators
Stadiums such as Borussia Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park will remain closed to spectators
The decision, which followed a video conference between representatives of all 36 clubs on Thursday morning, comes despite warnings from German Chancellor Angela Merkel that some states have eased lockdown restrictions too soon.