German leagues were prepared to have to postpone duels at the restart due to new coronavirus infections, DFL chief Christian Seifert said after two Dynamo Dresden players tested positive on Saturday.
“I don’t interpret this as a setback. It was perfectly clear that this could happen,” said Seifert in the ZDF program on Saturday. Das aktuelle Sportstudio.
“Every plan has to be flexible during this period. We have taken into account that new positive cases could emerge.”
Because two unnamed Dynamo Dresden players tested positive, the first two duels of the final match in the Second Bundesliga have been postponed. The whole team is quarantined for two weeks.
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German clubs, like here SC Karlsruhe, are preparing for the restart of the competition. (Photo: Pro Shots)
German leagues will resume on May 16
The Bundesliga and Second Bundesliga will be the first major leagues in Europe to resume on May 16. The 1,724 players and staffers from the 36 clubs were tested three times in the past week.
In addition to the two Dresden players, there were previously ten positive tests of asymptomatic players and staff members. 1. FC Köln and VfB Stuttgart announced that some players or staff members had become infected.
Although the full schedule of the German competitions has not yet been announced, Seifert said that the last matches will be played on June 30. “In theory, we can postpone that to early July, if many games have to be postponed due to new infections.”
“But we have enough buffers. We can catch up on the postponed Dresden matches later on during the week.”
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Hertha BSC player Salomon Kalou. (Photo: Pro Shots)
Seifert ‘very angry’ at Kalou
The German clubs have been training for several weeks under strict regulations for the resumption of the season. Most teams still have to play nine games.
“Almost everyone follows the rules very well,” said Seifert. “I was very angry with Salomon Kalou. I hope this was the last case of someone who is light-hearted with the current situation.”
Former Feyenoorder Kalou was suspended by his club Hertha BSC until the end of the season, because he had recorded a video in which he deliberately ignored corona measures.
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