Germany’s Bundesliga marks football return amid coronavirus

BERLIN (AFP): Germany’s Bundesliga became the first major European league to resume its 2019-20 season amid the coronavirus pandemic, with teams playing in empty stadiums today (Sunday).

With the worldwide death toll topping 310,000 and the global economy reeling from the vast damage caused by lockdowns, the re-openings in some of the hardest-hit countries such as Italy provided much-needed relief.

German authorities have started a gradual easing of restrictions. Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich will play against Union Berlin in the capital as the league resumed play in vacant, echoing stadiums.

The Bundesliga restart is under intense scrutiny as a test case, with top sports competitions trying to find ways to resume play without increasing the risk of spreading the virus.

“The whole world will be looking at Germany, to see how we get it done,” said Bayern Munich boss Hansi Flick.

Earlier on Saturday, League heavyweights Borussia Dortmund hosted rivals Schalke at the all-but-empty Signal Iduna Park.

Dortmund’s Erling Braut Haaland became the first player to score a goal after the two-month shutdown and celebrated by dancing alone — away from his applauding teammates.

The Bundesliga is expecting millions of extra fans to watch television coverage worldwide, with a particular interest in football-mad Brazil and Mexico.