Coronavirus: Germany's Bundesliga to resume behind closed doors on 16 May
- From the section European Football
The Bundesliga will resume behind closed doors on Saturday 16 May - and is the first European league to restart following the coronavirus shutdown.
One of the games on the day of relaunch will be the derby between Schalke and Borussia Dortmund.
Champions Bayern Munich, who are four points clear at the top of the table, travel to Union Berlin on Sunday.
Most teams have nine games to play, with the final weekend of the season rescheduled for 27-28 June.
The German Football Association (DFB) said the season would resume under strict health protocols that bans fans from the stadium and requires players to have Covid-19 testing.
The league has been suspended since 13 March; clubs returned to training in mid-April with players working out in groups.
Christian Seifert, chief executive of the German Football League (DFL), held a news conference on Thursday where he said despite the empty stands and other restrictions, "it was crucial to resume play".
Other updates to emerge included:
- As well as players and coaching staff, referees will also be subject to medical and hygiene regulations.
- There was no clarification on the issue of matches being available free to air - talks are under way with broadcasters.
- There were 10 positive results from clubs in the top two divisions from the first series of coronavirus tests and two in the second series.
"The interest (globally) is big. I see reports from across the world that we are the first major league to return," Seifert said. "This can only happen because we have the privilege to live in one of the most modern health systems in the world."
More to follow.
