The Bundesliga is a professional association Football league in Germany,and the football league with the highest average stadium attendance worldwide. The soccer games resumed behind closed doors and empty stadiums sans fans to counter the threat from Corona virus.
The German Bundesliga became the world’s first major sports competition to resume it’s season on 16 May 2020, post Covid lockdown imposed to control the Corona threat.
According to Christian Seafert CEO, of the league, resumption was necessary for fans and the clubs’ economic point of view.
He confirmed that other leagues around the world were taking note of the precautionary measures successfully enforced in Germany, with the view to potentially replicate them in their respective countries.
For the record the first Match played on 16 May between Borussia Dortmund and Schalke was a great success as far as TV coverage is concerned, with Dortmund winning 4/0.
Social distancing was maintained amongst players, which meant no hugging and they were asked to celebrate with elbow or fore arm thumps.
The restart of the Bundesliga has not only brought cheer to the fans,but also succeeded in providing monetary relief to the clubs.
The guidelines issued to the clubs before start of the league were:
- The players will be tested twice a week and all coaches will wear masks during games.
- The substitute players will be seated at a distance of 1.5m from each other during games.
- All teams will be kept in quarantine before the games.
- The players will be shuttled into the stadium in multiple buses rather than in one team bus.
- The warm ups before the matches will be carried out in a staggered way.
- All medical staff in attendance during the match will wear face masks.
- The customary post victory/goal celebration to ensure social distancing amongst players.
The Bundesliga comprises of 18 teams with top players from world over,and operates on the system of promotion and relegation. It was founded in 1963 and has its HQ in Frankfurt.