What Bundesliga’s return could mean for college football in 2020
By John Scimeca
Germany’s top professional soccer (or fußball) league returned to play May 16 with some quirks. What does its return mean for college football this fall?
The Bundesliga is Germany’s top level of professional soccer and is arguably one of the best leagues in the world in terms of talent quality, attendance, and coaching. After a two-month hiatus due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the league decided to resume play on the weekend of May 16.
What might the league’s return to play mean for this upcoming fall of college football in America? As of now, spring football practices and scrimmages have been cancelled and the all conferences postponed announcing game times for the early-season slate of games.
The first two weekends of play in Bundesliga were strange, given the changes that have occurred in terms of the global economy, people’s daily habits, and our overall awareness hygiene due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus.
Reserves now sit far apart in the stands wearing face mask coverings, players are forbidden to high-five after scoring a goal, balls are sanitized at halftime, and there are no fans in the stands. Five substitutes per game are now allowed (instead of the standard three) as recognition that players are not in top physical shape.
The action continues despite the players’ rust and the breakout of injuries — including one to young American phenom Gio Reyna of Borussia Dortmund during warmups — that accompanied the return to play and the resumed, intense play of top-flight pro soccer.
Lastly, the English Premier League announced its intention to resume play June 17, signaling that more sports leagues will continue to adjust to the ‘new normal’ amid this global pandemic.
Based on Bundesliga’s recent return, here are four odd things that could be in store for presumably strange season of college football.