Germany’s Bundesliga is now the first top football league in Europe to return and recommence play after a suspension of fixtures due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Bundesliga is back and would be taking place under strict health and hygiene protocols. Stadiums are empty, coaches are wearing face masks and handshakes are banned. Five matches including a derby between Borussia Dortmund and Schalke 04 mark the restart of the league
and the standout match of the day, Borussia Dortmund hosted Schalke 04 in the Ruhr derby in the cavernous Signal Iduna Park which would normally have been packed with 82,000 specators.
Instead, there were only about 300 people were in the stadium and the only sound heard when Norwegian forward Erling Braut Haaland scored the opening goal for Dortmund in the first half were that of the players.
Officials of other football leagues have said they are watching the German league’s efforts, seeking a blueprint for a safe return to play and to halt the multibillion-dollar losses from the cessation of matches.
With the suspension of football for over two months across the world due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Bundesliga is set to secure almost €300m from broadcasters and expected to attract millions of football fans across the world.
