Bundesliga clubs agree track-and-trace system for supporters to return to stadiums
Bundesliga clubs have agreed on a track-and-trace system for supporters to return to stadiums and it could act as a template for the Premier League to allow fans back.
Germany’s top-flight and 2Bundesliga met on Tuesday to thrash out the rules to let spectators into grounds but they need government approval before they can be introduced for the 2020-21 campaign.
The guidelines agreed to prevent the spread of Covid-19 during the pandemic include:
No away ticket allocation until at least the end of 2020
No standing areas for fans
Ban on alcohol at the stadium
Contact details of fans recorded in the case of infection
Premier League clubs will be carefully watching how German clubs prepare for the season, which they want to be played in front of spectators even if they are socially distanced.
The Bundesliga was the first elite competition to return to action during the pandemic and English clubs used its return to help them plan Project Restart.
The clubs met at an extraordinary general meeting to agree on the guidelines, which were seen by the German Federal Ministry of Health.
“The professional clubs will, until it is possible to readmit stadium visitors in the corresponding period, refrain from admission of tickets for visiting fans to matches in the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 until the end of the year,” read a statement from the Bundesliga.
“The Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 plan to have their home games without standing visitors until 31 October, on a voluntary basis. If it is possible to play games in the presence of stadium visitors, the clubs will refrain from serving alcohol at their home games until 31 October.
“The professional clubs undertake to ensure in their games that in the event of infection the identity and contact details of possibly affected stadium visitors can be determined.”
At the weekend, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced fans were now not allowed to attend pilot events following a spike in Covid-19 cases.
Supporters were scheduled to watch county cricket, the World Snooker Championship and horse racing at Goodwood. The new restrictions are in place at least until August 18.
