This archive report was first published on 14 May 2020.
As the Bundesliga prepares to become the first of Europe's big five leagues to resume action, German football is entering a new world of strict COVID-19 guidelines.
Players and officials will be subject to mass testing, with those who test positive separated from the rest of the team. The German Football League (DFL) has presented a 51-page document outlining the measures, which include the use of team buses to ensure social distancing, masks for all passengers, and limited contact between players and officials.
Empty stadiums will be the norm, with only around 300 people allowed in, divided into three zones to avoid contact. Only essential personnel, including players, match officials, and a small group of photographers, will be allowed on the pitch.
Outside the stadium, security guards will be on hand to prevent supporters gathering. The DFL has also outlined strict rules for team arrivals, including the use of masks and social distancing in changing rooms.
On the pitch, players and officials will not need to wear masks, but everyone else will, including substitutes on the bench. The match balls will be disinfected regularly, and physical contact will be limited to what is necessary during play.
The DFL has urged players to show 'exemplary behaviour' and avoid embracing or high-fiving to celebrate goals. Media coverage will also be restricted, with only 10 journalists allowed into each match and no press conferences or mixed zones.
Visiting teams will be required to book entire hotels or floors, with players banned from the weights room and required to respect social distancing even at mealtimes. At home, players will be expected to live in near-quarantine conditions, without seeing their neighbours or friends.
