Laschet and Söder consider Bundesliga restart possible from May 9 – possible scenarios
Agreement at Söder and Laschet, taunts between Bavaria and BVB, and a concept by DFL boss Seifert: The Bundesliga is working on a quick return to the game – and is aiming for an international pioneering role.
This livestream show should suggest a piece of normalcy to millions of fans. The perfectly orchestrated sequence of particularly confident contributions by top politicians, top officials and league boss Christian Seifert at “Bild live” should above all give the football people a feeling: Despite the coronavirus pandemic, the Bundesliga could start again very soon.
The Prime Ministers Armin Laschet (CDU) and Markus Söder (CSU) specifically named May 9th, between Bavaria’s Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Dortmund’s Hans-Joachim Watzke there were first peaks about who should be able to raise the shell. In the current situation, the stressed business-as-usual competitive attitude almost seemed bizarre. Pay-TV broadcaster Sky responded with a euphoric tweet and an announcement, as if a restart was not conceivable from May 9, but decided tomorrow.
In contrast to Söder and Laschet, the Federal Ministry of the Interior is strictly against giving an appointment for the resumption of Bundesliga games. This emerges from a letter from the parliamentary state secretary Stephan Mayer (CSU) to the chairman of the conference of sports ministers, Bremen senator Anja Stahmann (Greens), that the dpa has.
Before the decision, “the further developments of the pandemic in Germany and the as yet unknown concepts” by the DFB and DFL are to be seen.
Before the next DFL general meeting this Thursday, the optimism of those responsible for football has clearly increased. With a continuation and payment of the last TV money installment, some clubs could avert an impending bankruptcy. It also seems clear: If the DFL and professional clubs can start with their safety concept for the ghost games by mid-May, this should mean a pioneering role in the currently paralyzed world sport.
A thought that Frankfurt’s sports director Fredi Bobic is also flirting with. “If we could move back to normal step by step in Germany through the good work in politics, medicine and in companies, that would be a positive signal for global sport and would really bring Germany forward”, Bobic said to the “kicker”. The former international already hopes for a “huge advantage”, “a great opportunity” and “positive effects for us”.
The DFL also worked thoroughly on other eventualities under Seifert’s leadership. “If the package is expected to be ready this week, it will show that football did a very professional job in the crisis. Many other associations are having a hard time with it, ”said Bobic confidently, teasing himself: Many other leagues will not be able to think of a start again anytime soon.
Possible scenarios for the Bundesliga restart
REGULAR CONTINUATION WITHOUT AUDIENCE
The preferred DFL plan is current to end the season from May to June 30 as planned, according to the current status, it would not even require a particularly large number of English weeks. All clubs are training on their training grounds and regular play will resume as soon as politicians and health authorities make it possible.
Euro 2021 OR RAPID MODEL
Should further delays or complications arise, an Euro or express model could serve as a compromise solution. The Euro model would name a few fixed venues in the north, west, south and east, where several games are played per day, which could make logistics easier and reduce the number of people involved. In a rush model, the timing could be made even closer, so that teams compete, for example, every two days.
This could be due to new infections in the clubs, for example, which require new protective measures and cost time. Sports philosopher Gunter Gebauer also raised the question of contagions in league operations. “That would affect the whole company. Games would be canceled. And you would have to test more. Some professionals might think of making recourse claims against the club because they have to play, ”said the scientist of the“ Märkische Oderzeitung ”.
LESS STADIUM CAPACITY
Former national goalkeeper Jens Lehmann raised the question of why 20,000 fans should not be allowed into a stadium for 70,000 people with sufficient clearance. “Nobody has been able to answer this question yet,” said Lehmann.
The alternative idea of the ex-professional is currently not an issue for two reasons: the DFL is fighting for a continuation with as few people as possible (about 250 working people are targeted) around the stadiums and would thereby counteract its own suggestions. In addition, major events in Germany are prohibited until August 31.
CANCELLATION OR CANCELLATION
If the season cannot be ended despite all the scenarios, the statutes of the DFL and DFB do not provide a solution. Are the previous game days canceled? Does the current table count? Are there relegations or will the league be expanded to 20 teams? Such a case could become an ordeal for solidarity among professional clubs, as the current situation in the 3rd division shows.
EUROPEAN PLAN
The national competition has priority at the end of the season, as UEFA has admitted. All games of the Champions League and Europa League have been postponed “until further notice”. For example, the premier class could be ended with shortened quarter-finals or a Final 8 tournament at one venue, with a possible date at the end of August. But before that, the national leagues should have ended their season – and not just the Bundesliga.
