Hans-Joachim Watzke, Borussia Dortmund’s chief executive officer, has made the following statement regarding today’s decision by politicians to allow the Bundesliga to resume match operations on the basis of the concept presented by the German Football League (DFL):

“We’re very pleased that the people in Germany – and, from a regional point of view, the people in Dortmund and the surrounding area – have conducted themselves so magnificently in recent weeks that the spread of the pandemic could at least be contained. It is only thanks to the incredible discipline on the part of the population that we can now, gradually and in small steps, move on to another form of normality.

Many industries are now slowly starting up again in compliance with strict rules, and this applies to professional football too. In this context, we at Borussia Dortmund are aware we have a great responsibility. We will – in the knowledge there can be no guarantees – do everything in our power to ensure the highest-possible degree of safety in order to prevent any new infections among the players and their families.

Having to play behind closed doors is an enormous challenge, especially for a club like BVB, which draws a lot of strength from the passion of its supporters. However, it would not have been economically viable for the clubs to allow the Bundesliga to pause until spectators were allowed back into the stadiums.”