GERMANY looks like being the first country to resume playing football matches after the Bundesliga clubs today agreed on a package of measures that will allow Behind Closed Doors matches to take place starting next month.
The 36 clubs in the top two divisions in Germany today agreed to a 9 May re-start for football. All matches would be played behind closed doors with a maximum of 322 people allowed in and around stadiums for top-flight Bundesliga matches and 270 for second-tier games.
There are around 1100 players across German football who will require to be tested for Covid-19 symptoms if the plan is to succeed. Stringent hygiene precautions will be put in place including pitch-side sinks. Widespread testing of players and coaches will be provided at an estimated cost of £2.2million and protective masks for those in attendance will be mandatory.
Expert virologist Professor Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit told the German newspaper BILD: “Strictly speaking, every player would have to be checked every day. Otherwise a silent spread of the virus between the players or teams cannot be ruled out.”
The German football federation (DFL) has estimated that 25,000 coronavirus tests at around £90 each will be needed to check each player on at least a weekly basis.
DFL CEO Christian Seifert said: “The Bundesliga is ready to resume, no matter whether on 9 May or a later date. But it’s not up to us to find a date. The political decision makers decide.
“We have not defined an exact date today. The fact that we are even able to think about resuming games underlines the performance of the German authorities.
“It would be presumptuous for the DFL to name an exact date for the restart.”
On the issue of testing, he added: “Professional football would not even consume 0.4 percent of the available test capacity in the country.”
Angela Merkel and Nicola Sturgeon have been delivering similar cautious messages in easing the lockdown but it is believed in German that this plan can succeed and football can return.
The final decision on whether the planned resumption will be put into practice will rest, however, with the German Government and state health authorities. The German clubs are now united and are putting a plan in place to convince the politicians that it will be safe enough to resume playing as early as 9 May.
German efficiency in Scottish football needs a similar plan of action. Is that too much to ask?
Earlier today we reported on Nicola Sturgeon’s remarks today which signal that there will be no crowds at games in Scotland this year. This should not mean that BCD football is not possible and indeed is possible soon.
Germany has shown us the way. If Angela Merkel and Nicola Sturgeon agree we can get back to watching the Bundesliga and the Scottish Premiership – on television.
At least it’s something.
Why BCD Football could start soon but Nicola Sturgeon says, 'Let me be clear, big gatherings and events are off for some months to come'…https://t.co/gd6o7PkvhN @CelticFCSLO @CelticFC
— The Celtic Star Editor (@CelticStarMag) April 23, 2020
UEFA say the Scottish Premiership can be ended if government rules or financial issues make playing on impossible. The governing body is still recommending seasons are played to a finish.
— Superscoreboard (@ClydeSSB) April 23, 2020
INVINCIBLE by Matt Corr
🏃♂️ “I did my own winter training camp in Dubai, at the same time as the team was there!”#CelticFC tour guide @Boola_vogue is running the #TokyoMarathon🇯🇵 to raise funds for @FoundationCFC. pic.twitter.com/T6joeAgPLe
— Celtic Football Club (from 🏡) (@CelticFC) February 5, 2019
The Celtic Star’s very own Matt Corr – who you may also know as a Tour Guide at Celtic Park – publishes his first Celtic book, titled INVINCIBLE – early next month. This beautiful hardback book will be the definitive story of Celtic’s magical2016-17 season – it truly is wonderful, a real joy to read, and brilliantly written by Matt.
If you have been reading Matt’s regular contributions on The Celtic Star or indeed in the Matchday Programme or in the Celtic View you will know just how talented a Celtic writer he is. The book is published by The Celtic Star and you can pre-order below.
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