Bundesliga chief confirms return plans, predicts transfer collapse | OneFootball

Bundesliga CEO Christian Seifert has confirmed plans for the league to return.

Germany’s top two flights have agreed not to play any more fixtures until 30 April at the absolute earliest, as the coronavirus pandemic continues to affect daily life.

However, Germany  has handled the crisis better than other European nations, with hospital capacities high and testing widespread, and the league could yet return sooner rather than later.

“We are part of the culture in the country, people long to get back a short piece of normal life, and that could mean the Bundesliga plays again,” Seifert told the New York Times, confirming that there are plans to play in empty stadiums in May.

“This is why we have to play our role here, and that means to support the government and to talk with the government about when we will be able to play again.”

Some German clubs are desperate to return as the pause in the league has meant TV payments from domestic broadcaster Sky have stopped.

Without those significant sums, some clubs are in danger of going bust.

According to Seifert, half of the 2. Bundesliga sides “are very much in danger to file for bankruptcy” and cancelling the season is not considered a realistic option.

“For the moment we are all fighting to survive,” he added.

“We are in very constructive talks with all our partners no matter if it’s pay TV or free TV.”

And it will stay that way, with Seifert saying stadiums are likely to remain empty until the end of 2020.

Speaking about the upcoming summer, the German also does not expect to see big sums thrown around in the transfer market, as we have all become accustomed to.

“In the short term I would say the transfer market this summer will not exist, it will collapse,” he insisted.

“Some agents will suddenly understand that they will have to work hard, or at least work; some leagues will understand that money isn’t something that comes automatically every month from heaven.”