Bundesliga ‘set for May 15 return’

The Bundesliga is set to return to action on May 15 the decision will be made in a teleconference with Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday.

The government will allow large shops to reopen, with May 11 the target date, while top-level football will resume matches under strict conditions.

Those conditions will see games played behind closed doors, with no spectators allowed, while regular testing will be carried out on players and staff. State premiers will allow outdoor sports for non-professionals and children.

German clubs have been training since last month, working in small groups or individually while following social distancing guidelines.

The news comes despite ten people connected to teams in the top two divisions testing positive for coronavirus.

Cologne announced that three people at the club tested positive for coronavirus – yet training will continue ahead of the Bundesliga’s return.

The German Football League (DFL) said 1,724 tests had been conducted on players and staff at the 36 first and second tier sides since last Thursday.

The DFL said the ten individuals had been isolated and that a second round of testing on all participants would take place this week as clubs build towards a return to team training.

The Bundesliga has nine sets of fixtures remaining, with Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig, Borussia Monchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen all holding a chance of winning the title.