Bundesliga club bosses have reacted to news that the German government has given the green light for football to return in the second-half of May.
Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge: “I would like to thank the politicians for today’s decision to give us the opportunity to play the Bundesliga season until the end. We are now looking forward to ideally resuming play from mid-May. This ensures that the sporting decisions are made on the pitch. I would like to expressly thank the DFL and the Task Force Medicine for the excellent organisational and medical concept. I urge everyone involved to follow the requirements of these concepts, which are the basis for resuming games, in an exemplary and extremely disciplined way.”
RB Leipzig managing director Oliver Mintzlaff: “There is no reason to wait any longer. I don’t expect a big discussion in the general assembly. We have taken all the necessary precautions and the players are eager to get started again.”
Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke: “We’re very pleased that the people in Germany – and, from a regional point of view, the people in Dortmund and the surrounding area – have conducted themselves so magnificently in recent weeks that the spread of the pandemic could at least be contained. It is only thanks to the incredible discipline on the part of the population that we can now, gradually and in small steps, move on to another form of normality.
“Having to play behind closed doors is an enormous challenge, especially for a club like BVB, which draws a lot of strength from the passion of its supporters. However, it would not have been economically viable for the clubs to allow the Bundesliga to pause until spectators were allowed back into the stadiums.”
FC Köln sporting director Horst Heldt said: “We are still in a difficult situation as a society in this fight against the pandemic. Despite that, there is now a feeling of relief and anticipation: we are able to play football again! That is a lot more than just a job, it is our passion and I cannot wait – even with all the restrictions in place – for things to go back to winning points for FC, our fans and our city!”
Head of marketing and communications at Schalke, Alexander Jobst: “We accept the positive decision made by politics today and thus the trust in the DFL hygiene and protection concept, with the greatest of care. For Schalke, this means a huge sense of responsibility for everyone involved. We’re ready.”
