Berlin (AFP) – Germany’s football league insisted 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 whether it will get the green light to resume 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 resume 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.
– Decision due Wednesday –
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 are able to 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) instalment of money due from the league’s television contract.
from World Soccer Talk https://ift.tt/2L0RiQa
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