The return of the Bundesliga has been delayed another week as the Italian Government threatened to shut down the Serie A season.
German football – seen as a role model for the Premier League - resumed training at the start of last month.
And Bundesliga clubs – including Borussia Dortmund’s England star Jadon Sancho – were aiming to restart on May 9.
Chancellor Angela Merkel announced on Thursday the reopening of playgrounds, museums and churches from Monday but said any decision on the return of sport will not now be made until May 6.
“We must work to make sure we bring the number of new infections down further,” she said.
The German Football League (DFL) still hopes to see matches played behind closed doors by the end of the month.
"The DFL and the clubs will prepare for a continuation of the season in May, along the lines of the health and organisation concept," said a statement.
The government has suspended all major events with spectators until Aug. 31, meaning that any season restart will be without fans in the stadiums.
Football in Germany has been suspended since mid-March with the virus having infected about 160,000 people by Thursday. Almost 6,300 people have died of the disease in the country.
The DFL is desperate to complete the season and play the remaining nine matchdays by June 30 to be contractually in order with sponsors and broadcasters.
Its health safety plan to restart games without spectators sees only about 300 people in and around the pitch during matches to minimise infection risk.
Players will be monitored by an appointed team health and safety official and will undergo regular testing. An infection to a player will be reported to authorities who will be in charge of any other steps. The team, however, will not be automatically quarantined.
The Netherlands and France, Germany's neighbours, have cancelled their seasons.
Serie A clubs will hold an emergency video conference on Friday after the Government’s scientific committee rejected the Italian FA's protocol for a resumption of matches.
Italian sports minister Vicenzo Spadafora said: “Without agreement on the protocol for the safe return of the players, it will be the government - as happened in France – who will end the season. We will take our responsibilities.”
Empoli president Fabrizio Corsi said: “I am disappointed by what is happening in Italy, and I am referring to Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte and Minister for Sport Spadafora. It seems to me that the latter hates football.”
