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The Nairobian

Bundesliga to resume on May 16 –German Football Association confirms

Football

By Robert Abong'o | May 07, 2020

**Bundesliga - Bayern Munich v SC Paderborn - Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany - February 21, 2020 Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski celebrates scoring their third goal [REUTERS/Michael Dalder]**

Germany’s top tier football league, Bundesliga is set to resume from May 16, the German Football Association confirmed on Thursday, May 7.

The league will become the first in Europe’s top to resume following the coronavirus pandemic outbreak.

However, the DFL said the season would resume under strict health protocols, with fans banned from entering stadiums.

The German government of Wednesday, May 6 said the Bundesliga could resume in mid May without spectators, with the DFL to decide the exact fixture dates.

Chancellor Angela Merkel made the announcement, as the country begins easing coronavirus lockdown measures.

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“Today’s decision is good news for the Bundesliga and the 2nd Bundesliga,” It comes with a great responsibility for the clubs and their employees to implement the medical and organisational requirements in a disciplined manner,” said DFL chief executive Christian Seifert.

“Games without stadium spectators are not an ideal solution for anyone. However, in a crisis that threatens the existence of some clubs, it is the only way to ensure the continued existence of the leagues in their current form, ” he added.

FOOTBALL HAD STOPPED:

The coronavirus has seen football federations worldwide halt their leagues, in a gradual process that began with clubs staging matches behind closed doors, only to realise footballers too were exposed to the risk of contracting the virus.

Football stopped, and everyone’s attention turned to helping combat and prevent the spread of Covid-19.

World football’s governing body FIFA echoed its support to the World Health Organisation (WHO) by initiating an awareness campaign that would help tackle the virus.

“We all know the situation with the coronavirus is a serious one, and we need to put health first. These are the five key tactics to tackle the coronavirus, and I urge you to follow with discipline at all times, these five key tactics,” said FIFA Chief of Global Football Development Arsène Wenger, who will be joined by five coaches united behind the five-step game plan to defeat the virus.

Kenyan football has also to come to a halt. On Friday, March 13, Football Kenya Federation resolved to suspend all sporting activities following the confirmation of the first COVID-19 case in the country.

In a statement to newsrooms, FKF said: “Following the confirmation of the first Corona Virus (Covid-19) in Kenya, Football Kenya Federation has suspended FKF grassroots football competitions and women leagues including the Kenya Women Premier League, Women Division One League”.

The matches that were scheduled for that weekend had to be played behind closed doors, with footballers asked to observe Covid-19 guidelines - as a precautionary measure, there were no pre and post-match handshakes.

Our team medic, John Imboywa earlier today played his part in ensuring we keep good hygiene in the wake of the Corona Virus spread. He was there in time with the hand sanitizer ahead of our clash against Migori Youth. He cares...#GBUS #WeSoldierOn pic.twitter.com/ywiXEEqr90 — Ulinzi Stars FC (@UlinziStarsFC) March 15, 2020

Following the government’s directive to stop sporting activities, FKF postponed three rounds of matches to the first week of April following consultations with the Ministry of Health. April 4^th has been set as the tentative date when league action is expected to resume.

The country also withdrew the junior team set to participate in the Mediterranean International Cup tournament in Spain following the rising number of cases in the country.

The State has also banned the use of the country’s two biggest stadia - Kasarani and Nyayo, confirming the two facilities will not be available for use for the next 30 days.

“In compliance with the directives issued by President Uhuru Kenyatta on Covid-19, and follow up guidance by the Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed, Sports Kenya hereby notifies our clients and the general public all our facilities at both Kasarani and Nyayo Stadium will remain closed for the next 30 days from the day of this notice,” read a letter from the Sports Kenya Director General Pius Metto.