Thursday. 28.03.2024

Football returns to some European stadiums, although with precautions and under serious restrictions.

Germany's Bundesliga football league can restart in the second half of May following the coronavirus stoppage, Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Wednesday.

The widely expected announcement was made as part of an easing of lockdown measures.

The Bundesliga has been on hold since mid-March because of the pandemic. The German Football League is due to decide on Thursday to decide on further details.

All matches would have to be played without fans, sources familiar with the talks told Reuters, adding that the German soccer league (DFL) will decide on the exact dates for the resumption of the Bundesliga and the second-tier 2. Bundesliga.

First of Europe's top leagues

The Bundesliga will be the first of Europe's top five domestic leagues to restart following the outbreak, which has brought football to a standstill around the world. Its progress is likely to be closely watched by other leagues.

Germany's professional teams have been training since mid-April, divided into small groups and under strict conditions, including extensive testing of players and coaching staff.

Too late for France, but not for Finland

It will be too late for some countries such as France and the Netherlands. French Government announced last week that major sport events will not be permitted in the country at least until September.

For that reason, the French League announced the end of the championship, which was won by the Paris Saint Germain

Similartly, the Dutch football association recently admitted the season was effectively ended after the government extended a ban on major public events by three months.

But it is not all bad news for football fans.

On Wednesday, Finnish Veikkausliiga announced that the season will restart on Saturday 13 June. It remains to be seen how many people and with what criteria will be admitted to the Finnish stadiums.

Also the Turkish leagues will resume by mid June, the Turkish Football Federation announced.

Football returns to Europe gradually and with restrictions