DFL Recommend Continued Suspension of Bundesliga & 2.Bundesliga Until 30th April

​The German Football League (DFL) have confirmed that they will recommend the continued postponement of Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 action until at least 30th April when clubs meet to discuss plans moving forward next week.

As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, football matches have been postponed all around the world. In Germany, the original decision taken was to suspend all play in the Bundesliga and 2.Bundesliga until at least 2nd April in an attempt to slow the spread of the virus.

However, with the situation continuing to impact the lives of so many, governments have taken further drastic measures, and the DFL have now taken to their ​official website to confirm that there will be a meeting among clubs that will be held on 31st March which will see them recommend that all action in Germany's top two tiers is suspended until at least 30th April. 

The statement read: "To prepare for the general meeting of the clubs of the ​Bundesliga and 2nd ​Bundesliga on 31st March, the executive committee of the DFL met today as part of a video conference lasting several hours. With a view to the consequences of the Coronavirus, possible scenarios and conceivable options for action were discussed. These are to be further structured in the course of the week and then put to the general assembly for discussion.

"The executive committee is aware that all scenarios and options for action also depend on external factors, on the development of which the DFL and clubs have only limited or no influence at all: among other things, the further spread of the virus and the assessment of the situation by politics. Against this background, the executive committee of the General Assembly will recommend a further suspension of game operations in the Bundesliga and 2.Bundesliga until at least April 30."

However, despite this, the DFL added that they will hope to finish the season by 30th June - even if this means playing matches behind closed doors and with minimal workers. 

"In view of the potentially existential situation of some clubs and because of responsibility for an industry with 56,000 direct and indirect employees, the general meeting on 16th March unanimously represent the goal of wanting to finish the season by 30th June, as far as this is legally permissible and of course health-justifiable. 

"In this regard, the DFL is currently working intensively on concepts to play games at a given time - due to the situation - even without stadium spectators and with a minimal use of workers in the areas of sport, general organisation and the media. In contrast to amateur and grassroots sports or other leisure events, only the stadium staff would be employed at this place of work."