NFL closely monitoring European soccer
The first major European soccer league, the German Bundesliga opened last weekend to empty stadiums and the NFL is keeping a close eye on the situation.
For now, the Bundesliga has launched without spectators with Denmark following suit this weekend. England’s Premier League is planning a restart with June 12 as the potential start date.
The NFL will analyze the situation in Europe, and as the various soccer leagues restart, it will give NFL officials comparative information they can use in their own preparations for a September start.
This is the first step towards live major league sports since the COVID-19 pandemic took over the world and closed sports two months ago.
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy says the league has “been in contact with all US sports leagues and sports organizations around the world,” and has conducted surveys to “see what works and see what can be used in the NFL context. ”
Booking and betting services are hanging on for news on when sports will reopen as well.
And it’s not just the game on the field that the NFL is watching. Also, the opportunity to start practice again will be planned based on the experiences in Germany and other countries.
NFL Networks Mike Garafolo:
“I know some baseball leagues have already restarted but when you’re talking about soccer you’re talking about a league that is going to have a lot of close contact in the way that the NFL is going to have. So not only the league but also the NFLPA is going to be keeping a close eye on this one to see how is this going to work in the restart.”
Of course, there is significantly more close contact in football than there is in soccer, but the number of players on the field, the size of the field and the overall nature of the game allows the NFL to conduct reopening analyses.
The NFL will keep track of the steps the soccer leagues in Europe are taking to return safely, and apply them when the 2020 season begins again in September.
