German Bundesliga is potentially going to be the first major league in Europe to return to football but the outcome of the first round of coronavirus test could make that a bit difficult.
Authorities in Germany tested 1,724 playing and non-playing staff of Germany’s top two divisions and 10 of the samples collected from them returned positive.
The second round of test is expected to be conducted on the players and officials of the 36 first and second-tier sides to reconfirm the result of the first round of test.
This procedure his geared towards restarting the German Bundesliga season which has been halted since March due to coronavirus pandemic.
Though officials of the league who have contracted the virus have been placed on self-isolation, pundits fear that the outcome of the test has hampered the chance for the season to resume this month as earlier projected.
However, the government authorities are expected to meet on Wednesday, May 6, 2020, to decide whether the two top divisions are fit to restate the season this month.
German Bundesliga: Salomon Kalou Lands in Trouble
Meanwhile, former Côte d’Ivoire forward, Salomon Kalou has landed in serious trouble as he filmed himself breaking the social distancing order in Germany.
Solomon who currently plays for Hertha Berlin filmed himself shaking hands with his teammates immediately after it was announced that they tested negative for coronavirus.
Though Solomon intentionally did that to celebrate the result, other people he shook hands with were not aware that he was transmitting the video live on Facebook.
Both the league governing body DFL and Hertha Berlin have frowned at the action of Kalu which has led to his immediate suspension from the club.
“With his video, Salomon Kalou has not only done a great deal of damage to Hertha BSC but also created the impression that individual players are not taking the issue of coronavirus seriously, in a time of great discussion on the resumption of football and the role of the professional game”, Hertha Berlin’s General manager Michael Preetz said.
Not intending to trivialise Coronavirus
While reacting after his suspension, the 34-year-old former Chelsea forward said his intention was not to trivialise the coronavirus crisis. He apologised for dragging some of his teammates into bad light without their consent.
“I am sorry if I gave the impression that I am not taking coronavirus seriously”, Kalu said. “The opposite is the case because I am especially worried about the people in Africa because the medical care there is nowhere near as good as in Germany.
“I didn’t really think it through and was excited that my tests came back negative.
“I would also like to apologise to all those who appeared in the video who didn’t know that I was broadcasting live and whom I didn’t want to bring into this situation.”
