DFL extends Bundesliga suspension and pauses media rights tender

Photo by Boris Streubel/Bundesliga/DFL via Getty Images

The German Football League (DFL) has decided to extend the current suspension of matches in Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 until 30 April and has opted to pause the ongoing media rights tender.

The decision was taken by the DFL’s executive committee during a video conference call today (25 March).

With the COVID-19 pandemic still raging, the meeting looked at the consequences of the virus, possible scenarios and conceivable options for action.

It is still hoped that the league season will still be completed by 30 June in line with other European competitions.

In a statement, the DFL said: “Given that some clubs are facing a potentially existence-threatening situation and because of the responsibility for an industry with 56,000 direct and indirect employees, the Ordinary Assembly on 16 March unanimously reiterated the objective of wanting to end the season by 30 June, so far as legally permissible as well as, of course, justifiable from a public health perspective.

“In this regard, the DFL is currently working intensively on concepts to play matches at their assigned time – given the current situation – also without stadium spectators and with a minimum workforce in the areas of sport, general organization and media. In contrast to amateur and mass sports or other leisure events, only staff working in the stadium as part of an employment would be present on site.”

The pause in the rights tender will see the originally intended date in May move to June or possibly beyond.

The DFL added: “The Federal Cartel Office had given the DFL the go-ahead for the submitted marketing concept last Friday. It is the objective of the DFL to focus on meeting the current challenges first.”