One of the first sports to resume playing since the lockdown due to the Coronavirus pandemic is the Bundesliga, a German football league. It was back on the field on May 16, 2020. Although it was not like the usual game where the stadium would be filled with fans, most of the audience were sitting at home and enjoying the game through their television. There were certain sets of rules to be followed by the players along with the other members of the team and every official including the media, medics, and security while entering the field.
Geisterspielen - a German word for "behind closed door" and also known as ghost games is a term in sports that may now be used frequently. After a two months break, Bundesliga has resumed the matches keeping in mind the safety and health of everyone present in the field. The players and coaches observed a week-long quarantine before the matches began and were thoroughly checked and tested for COVID-19. Except for the players and head coaches, it was mandatory for all to put on their face masks. The substitutes could open masks only before warming up and the players leaving the pitch were each handed a mask. On the stand, substitutes were seated two feet apart maintaining social distancing throughout the game. The empty benches were a rare sight to be seen in this new concept of football, due to which the fans could hear the players conversing while running for the ball. This time the players didn't have children escort to accompany them to the field. Handshakes were replaced by boot bumps and hugging was reduced to mere elbow bumps. With such rules in place, players were bound to keep a check on their emotions to prevent frequent physical contact in the game. Several officials were in charge of the 30 match balls as they meticulously disinfected them during half-time and when required. The league has also announced five substitutes rather than three due to the current situation to keep a check on exhausted players. With the unusual atmosphere, players needed some time to get accustomed to the silent field. Few coaches commented that they had the urge to embrace players after the game but had resisted. The microphones used for commentary had also been covered with plastic for protection.
Eventually, pre and post-match interviews were still held with players and managers keeping a safe distance with the news reporters as well as video conferencing. With a total of 18 teams, the matches have begun with full zest and are to be continued until further threat. While most sports - starved fans were glad, a few were not. However, most of the fans are not convinced and seemed unhappy with the strict health guideline game. Former Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger has stated that football without fans is only a short-term solution for the pandemic.
There are other countries too who have planned to restart respective series commencing in the upcoming months. Spanish Football Federation and LaLiga have agreed on norms that no team can play twice in the space of 72 hours. In the UK, Lancashire has offered to hold Test Cricket during the times of crisis in "bio-secure grounds". The Premier League may also resume in the UK.
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