Skip to main content

Sports News

Bundesliga 'ready to return on 9 May', says German Football League



The last Bundesliga match, Borussia Monchengladbach v Cologne on 11 March, was played behind closed doors



Despite football being halted across the globe by the coronavirus pandemic with all major leagues and competitions suspended, the Bundesliga is now eager to return to action with plans to play spectator-free games in May.
Germany has led the way in its approach to combating the coronavirus pandemic. The country's intense programme of consistent testing from early on has resulted in far fewer deaths than the worst-affected countries.
The German Football League (DFL), responsible for operating the Bundesliga and the second division, is determined to finish the current season. Its 36 professional clubs met on Thursday to discuss a restart of the season next month.
However, Germany's football authorities still face some huge questions before they get the green light to resume football in the country behind closed doors.
"If we start on 9 May, we are ready. If it is later, we will be ready again," DFL chief executive Christian Seifert said on Thursday.
"For us, what is decisive is what the politicians will decide. It is not for us to decide when.
"Games without spectators are not what we want - but at the moment the only thing that seems feasible."
So, what challenges do they face and how are they planning to combat them?German politics has recently decided that large events with crowds will be banned at least until the end of August. That rules out the Bundesliga being played in front of spectators until the scheduled start of next season.
The only way to work around regulations is to stage spectator-free games, with only players, coaching staff, medics, referees, ball boys and ball girls, ground staff, technicians, safety officers, and production staff for television and VAR being present inside the stadiums. League officials estimate that up to 300 people are needed per match.
In Germany, the 16 federal states determine the maximum number of people allowed for public gatherings and a decision about that number will be made by the end of April.
The governments could put a stop to any plans from the DFL, but they are aware of the economic struggles of professional football and are expected to grant the wish of the clubs.
"A weekend with football is much more bearable than a weekend without football. That's why I could picture to have matches behind closed doors", Markus Soder, state premier of Bavaria, said at a recent online talk show hosted by German newspaper Bild.
He and Armin Laschet, state premier of North Rhine-Westphalia, have said they think it's conceivable the Bundesliga would restart as soon as 9 May.
Soder and Laschet rushed ahead with their statements, knowing the federal government and the 16 state governments meet on 30 April, with the likely outcome that football matches are allowed to be staged in the following months

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Morphy returns with new single “Girl” Feat BizzyVybez.

It appears to be an exciting week for music enthusiasts as some of their favorite  Ghanaian artistes drop new songs. Ghanaian Hip-Hop and Afro-Pop Dancehall artiste, Morphy has released the visual to his new ballad song titled, " Girl ". From the details he shared via his verified Instagram page, ‘Girl’ is already available for purchase and streaming on all digital music stores from Friday, May 23, 2023. As Morphy's second official single of the year, " Girl " acts as a stepping stone towards his highly anticipated forthcoming project. This single serves as a glimpse into the artist's arsenal and exhibits the depth of his artistry, leaving fans eagerly anticipating what lies ahead for the rest of the year. The  Hip-Hop and Afro-Pop Dancehall artiste " is also considered one of the major proponents of the Afro Fusion genre and dance and one of the most successful young Ghanaian Dancehall of all time.

Government can’t afford to reduce taxes on fuel; we’ll lose GH¢4bn revenue –Prez Akufo-Addo.

The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has dismissed calls on the government to reduce taxes on petroleum products. He said taking such an action will significantly affect the government’s revenues. Addressing the 2022 May Day parade at the Independence Square in Accra, he said the government risks losing about GH¢4 billion if it makes any such move. He added that it is even more untenable because the government is rather looking for more avenues to raise money. “Removing taxes on petroleum products will reduce government revenues by some GH¢4 billion. At this time, when we are determined to expand government revenues in order to increase our capacity to finance our own development, can we afford to reduce tax revenues by GH¢4 billion?” he quizzed. Fuel prices in Ghana have risen sharply in Ghana in the last six months, although they have stayed the same for almost a month. Amidst the numerous complaints from consumers that the situation is causing a strain on their finances as th...

Nyameson Fashion Centre Held it's Maiden Edition of Graduation and Fund-raising Ceremony on Saturday April 20, 2023.

The Nyameson Fashion Centre at Millennium City in the Gomoa East District of the Central Region of Ghana held its maiden edition of  graduation and fund-raising ceremony in support of the establishment of their free school building and hostel. One of the apprentice  The CEO's of the Nyameson Fashion Centre, Mr./Mrs. NYAMESON, stated that it is a privilege that God has built this Free Fashion Centre upon them. They stated in an interview that it has been three years since they began the school in Mataheko in the Greater Accra Region with 10 apprentices and later moved to Millennium City in the Central Region with 32 apprentices, but it is free, which means, the apprentice are been accommodated free of charge without taken them a penny. The graduands in a queue  Mr. Charles Noble Quainoo (Regional Information Apprenticeship Department, Greater Accra Region, GTVETS, (NVTI)), added that is now the time for the youth to participate in TVETS in order to learn more about how to ...