Saturday afternoon football is set to be shown live in the UK for the first time in 50 years as BT Sport prepares to air the Bundesliga’s return.
A controversial law has led to a TV blackout for almost six decades on 3pm matches in order to protect attendances in the UK, particularly for EFL clubs.
However, the ban has been lifted by the government following a request from the FA and the Bundesliga’s planned return next month is set to see Germany’s top-flight become the first matches to be shown during the usual blackout period, the Telegraph reports.
The Bundesliga announced on Thursday their plan to return on May 9, pending government approval, which would see the league become the first on the continent to return from its suspension following the coronavirus crisis.
BT Sport have exclusive access to air Bundesliga matches in the UK and, with the FA having already successfully requested for the blackout to be lifted during the coronavirus crisis, could show them on Saturday afternoons.
The German top-flight has played 25 matches so far and has just six points separating the top four teams. That means there are still nine games to play, which would be manageable before the end of June if the current schedule is adhered to.
A 41-page safety guideline has been issued by Bundesliga chiefs, which outlines the plans for mass testing of players and who would be required to be in attendance for matches - with three ‘zones’ for players, media and security personnel - all of whom would remain separate from each other.
