Union Berlin's Neven Subotić criticises Bundesliga restart decision | OneFootball

Union Berlin defender Neven Subotić has hit out at the German football association for putting Bundesliga players in a “precarious position” by the decision to restart the season next week.

On Thursday the DFL confirmed that both the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga will be return to action on Saturday 16 May.

It will be the first Bundesliga football played since 13 March due to the coronavirus pandemic and after it resumes with Matchday 26, the 2019/20 campaign is scheduled to conclude on 28 June.

But Subotić fears the timing of the return and the number of matches clubs will be forced to cram into the calendar could pose a risk to the health and wellbeing of the players.

“Today was the first training with the whole team. It’s the one thing we know how to do. It usually feels like second nature to us but today, we were kinda shy with each other,” the 31-year-old told BBC World Service.

“We were all eager to do it but we have to consider the fact that we as players now carry a huge risk in terms of the workload that’s been put on us.

“Most clubs in the Bundesliga aren’t fitted with the squad to handle ‘English Weeks’ – two games per week – but that’s what we’re all facing.

“I’m concerned [about injuries] for the younger players who aren’t so familiar with their body, who always want to give 100% even when they maybe need a day’s rest.”

All Bundesliga matches for the forseeable future will be played in empty stadiums to minimise potential exposure to Covid-19, but Subotić admits he is still concerned about the virus spreading among the players.

“I think that’s definitely the big issue that everyone carries with them. I think many are trying to put it to the side in order to get the job done. But it’s certainly something that’s very present in my thinking,” he said.

“Firstly considering my health but also considering the health of my team-mates and the opponents, whom I also consider colleagues.

“That’s a precarious situation for all of us. It’s going to be impossible to come out of the league with positive remarks.

“It’s just going to be a lot of risk management and trying to get to a finished season with the fewest casualties.

“I am critical of how everything’s been managed but we understand that it’s a difficult situation for everybody.

“We all just want to press fast forward and be in a situation where we don’t have to worry about it, but I think that’s unrealistic in the coming months.”

As well as banning fans from stadiums, the DFL has also confirmed that all players will be required to have regular Covid-19 testing, with chief executive Christian Seifert saying “it was crucial to resume play” as soon as possible.

But Subotić worries coming back now is still too soon, and the former Borussia Dortmund defender is also critical of the way the situation has been handled by Germany’s sporting authorities.

“We were one of the last leagues to close down, and since then the approach has been to come back as soon as possible,” he added.

“The financial aspects were always being highlighted. Some of the club owners equated the clubs more to a business than social or cultural institutions, which I think it should also be, and that was overlooked.

“We’ve postponed the start of the league I don’t know how many times. We’ve been hearing this for the last six weeks basically that ‘it’s going to start soon’.

“Now it’s actually going to start soon but in terms of the management, for a player I can say that it was frustrating because what we want is clarity.

“No matter when we start, it will be too soon. If we start in a few weeks it will be too soon. Even if we start in a few months it may be too soon.”

Only 300 people, including players, staff and officials, will be allowed to be in or around the stadiums during match days.

And like many people, Subotić believes football won’t be the same without the atmosphere created by the supporters.

“The fact of the matter is we’re not going to have games with fans. For me as a player, that’s what makes it special, having that collective moment of celebration or even if you’re losing, you do that collectively,” he continued.

“For the clubs it’s financial, and nothing else. For us knowing that, it’s about getting the job done and trying to make the most out of it knowing well that there isn’t a lot that you can get out of it in terms of satisfaction.

“Therefore, what I will definitely enjoy is the first game back with fans in the stadium. I’m looking forward to that. It’s my goal and I don’t know when that will happen but that’s the motivation I have.”