Germany: DFL considers a return to matches behind closed doors "regrettable"

The DFL considers it "regrettable" that it is "temporarily no longer possible" to host fans at Bundesliga and 2.Bundesliga matches from Monday 02/11 to Monday 30/11/2020, announced the German Football League on 28/10/2020.

"There is no doubt that the worsening pandemic situation requires additional efforts in all areas of life," admitted the DFL.

Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor announced on 27/10/2020 that she had reached an agreement with the Länder (German regions) to hold professional matches behind closed doors from 02 to 30/11/2020 and that amateur matches would be postponed. "We must act now in order to prevent an acute national health emergency," declared Merkel, faced with a dramatic increase in cases of Covid-19.

Since the start of the 2020-21 season (18-20/09/2020) a maximum of 20% of seats were allowed to be occupied in Bundesliga stadiums until 31/10/2020. This rule (with a minimum of 1,000 spectators), which also applied to handball and basketball, was the result of an agreement reached at the level of the Länder (the German regions) on 15/09/2020. In practice, very…