Germany intends to allow in May the resumption in camera of its football championship, interrupted due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to a draft agreement between Angela Merkel and the regions obtained by AFP. The resumption of matches in the first and second division, to "limit the economic damage", is considered "acceptable" from a date in May which is not specified, but which could be the 21st, according to German media.
The decision to revive the Bundesliga must be confirmed on Wednesday during a video conference between the Chancellor and the heads of regional governments, who have the final say in authorizing sporting events on their territory. "The resumption of competitions must be preceded by a quarantine of two weeks, if necessary in the form of training camps", specifies the draft agreement.
The German Football League (DFL) has long argued for this recovery, which is vital for the economic survival of a sector which employs 56,000 people in Germany. She presented to the public authorities a draconian health protocol, based on the multiplication of tests for the detection of coronavirus, which would make it possible to relaunch competition at lower risks. Health Minister Jens Spahn said the protocol "is consistent and can even serve as a model for other sports".
300 million TV rights recovered by clubs
If the last nine days of the Bundesliga (first and second division) can be disputed, the German clubs will recover 300 million TV rights, enough to absorb their losses, while more than a dozen clubs out of 36 (first and second division) are on the verge of bankruptcy, according to the German press. The DFL convened a general meeting for video conference for Thursday. Representatives from the 36 clubs, most of which have already returned to training, will need to finalize the recovery plan.
Read also
- Resumption of the Bundesliga: green light from the authorities on Wednesday?