Berlin: Germany's football league asserted Monday the mass testing
of players and backroom staff was "providing protection" after 10
cases of coronavirus across the top two divisions raised questions about its
plans to restart matches this month.
On Monday, the German Football League (DFL) reported that out of
1,724 tests, 10 had returned a positive result, three of which are already
known to involve Bundesliga side Cologne.
"The tests carried out over the past few days have fulfilled their purpose of providing additional safety and thus protecting players as best as possible from infection during team training or matches," the DFL said in a statement.
The positive results, around 0.5 percent of the total, all came
from the first batch of tests as the German league prepares to restart matches
from the weekend of May 16 in empty stadiums and with strict hygiene measures.
The league's plans to become the first major European football
competition to restart since the season was halted in mid-March hinge on the
regular testing of players.
The DFL did not specify which clubs the positive tests came from,
but the individuals concerned have immediately been quarantined and the local
health authorities informed. The news of the positive tests comes as the league
is hoping to get the green light to resume from Chancellor Angela Merkel's
federal government on Wednesday.
According to the regulations in force in Germany, anyone who has
been in contact with a positive case of coronavirus must observe a 14-day
isolation period.
Horst Seehofer, Germany's interior minister who has responsibility
for sport, has said he supports the plans for Bundesliga teams to finish its
interrupted season.
However, on Monday Seehofer's ministry football would not be
allowed to deviate from the rules for the wider population.
"Horst Seehofer stands by what he said -- anyone who has been
in direct contact with a person who has tested positive must be quarantined for
14 days," interior ministry spokesman Steve Alter said.
"This is a principle that applies to the whole population and
there is no reason why it should be any different for professional
footballers."
The league's plans to resume state that clubs can continue
training even if a squad member or coach tests positive for the coronavirus and
is quarantined.
Germany's top clubs are
desperate for the season to be completed by June 30 in order to claim a 300
million euros ($325 million) installment of money due from the league's
television contract.
Thirteen of the 36 clubs in the top two leagues are reportedly under
severe financial pressure due to the pandemic.
Some politicians also want
league games switched from pay-per-view broadcaster Sky to state channels to
encourage fans to stay at home and not gather to watch matches in public places
which have a subscription.
RB Leipzig, who were third in the table behind leaders Bayern
Munich when the league halted, are planning to keep their squad in
semi-quarantine on their training grounds should games resume.
They will "possibly spend the night here as well. This is
still being discussed," Leipzig's German international defender Marcel
Halstenberg told broadcaster MDR.
Source: (Associated Press of Pakistan)
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