Bundesliga Starts Preparing Health Protocols for Match with Spectators

DBasia.news – The world is still struggling to fight the COVID-19 virus. However, the Bundesliga 2020-2021 season is reportedly preparing to held matches with spectators.

In mid-May, the Bundesliga became the first European elite league to return to the pandemic even though it was held behind closed stadium. They became a pioneer so that other competitions such as the Premier League, LaLiga, and Serie A followed suit.

Now the Bundesliga wants to be the first European Elite competition to host a match with spectators. This is to be realized when the 2020-2021 season starts rolling on September 18th.

Bundesliga operators (DFL) have held a meeting with representatives of participating clubs to discuss this. They will issue strict protocols that all clubs and their supporters must adhere to.

One of the contents of the protocol is to limit the number of spectators in the stadium. Visiting supporters will also be prohibited from attending away matches.

The match tickets that are sold must also contain the complete audience data. This is to facilitate handling if someone is infected with the corona virus.

“Professional clubs will ensure in their matches that in the event of (coronavirus) infection, the identities and contact details of stadium visitors who may and may be affected are known,” said an official DFL statement.

“This is based on the consideration that local health authorities can only stop the existing chain of infection early and effectively if they can quickly identify and contact the relevant people.”

In addition, DFL will temporarily change a number of traditions and culture of German supporters. Some examples are the closing of standing stands and the banning of beer and alcoholic beverages in stadiums.

Germany is one of the countries that still maintains the stands in the majority of its stadiums. However, watching matches in this way during a pandemic is not possible because of the precautionary rules.

Watching matches while drinking beer is also a tradition in German football. But this habit will be banned at least until October 31.

Even so, the Bundesliga cannot just hold matches with spectators. Each club must obtain permission from the government and local public health authorities.