The Bundesliga could return in May, according to the latest news emerging from Germany. Reigning Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich are set to return to training this week increasing hopes of a potential return after April 30th. Bayern Munich have stressed no members of the public will be allowed to view training sessions. Schalke also returned to training with players working in pairs and social distancing rules being observed. Borussia Dortmund are observing similar rules, too.
Germany took strong steps to limit the spread of the coronavirus and thus far, it appears to have worked. Now, with measures in place over fans attending games, the Bundesliga be back and clubs play out the rest of the season.
It is believed fans won’t be allowed back into stadiums until 2021 to prevent a second outbreak of coronavirus. Players could be placed under strict supervision to monitor their health.
The Bundesliga is currently wrapped up in a major battle at the top of the table with Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig, and Borussia Monchengladbach all fighting for the league’s title. Just six points separate Bayern Munich and fourth-place Borussia Monchengladbach.
While the Bundesliga’s teams could return to training and possibly league play, the Premier League is still off. However, the English top-flight could be back in June. The league is in advanced talks with the British government about a return.
The coronavirus has pulled back the curtain on football finances showing that clubs need TV rights money and matchday revenues to pay salaries and stay afloat. Even the biggest clubs are one disaster away from crumbling.
Players and coaches from clubs around the globe are taking pay cuts to help their teams. While not having live gates and matchday revenues coming in will hurt clubs, having matches on television in empty stadiums will enable some money to flow back into clubs.
Summer transfers are going to be hit hard due to the lack of money clubs are bringing in right now. Clubs may be forced to make sales they otherwise wouldn’t have just to bring money in and pay the bills.
Bayern Munich are leading the Bundesliga charge to return to training and all 36 Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 teams have said they will complete the 2019-20 season once it is safe to play. Premier League teams are yet to make any type of statement, but much of that has to do with denying Liverpool the league title.
The Premier League’s officials are looking into keeping players in a “sterile environment” to enable them to complete the season. Having sports return to television would not only improve the morale of citizens around the globe, but it would give a boost to economies. UEFA has already agreed to end the Premier League’s 3 pm blackout to allow games to be shown on television. Some could be televised on free TV.
June is the Premier League’s target for now but that could get squashed in the coming days or weeks. England has not had its peak of the pandemic. That peak is expected in the next one to two weeks.
