The Bundesliga season set to restart on May 16

German league will resume under the terms of a strict health protocol that bans fans from the stadium

• 

  Bayern Munich attacker Thomas Muller during training on May 5, 2020. The Bundesliga is set to restart on May 16 after being shutdown due to the coronavirus. AFP

• 

  Bayern Munich players during training. EPA

• 

  Bayern Munich manager Hansi Flick. AFP

• 

  Bayern Munich's Thomas Muller alongside Leon Goretzka. AFP

• 

  Bayern Munich manager Hansi Flick talks to his players. AFP

• 

  Bayern Munich players during training. EPA

• 

  Left to right: Bayern Munich players Jerome Boateng, David Alaba, and Alphonso Davies. EPA

• 

  Bayern Munich manager Hansi Flick, centre, during training. EPA

• 

  Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. EPA

• 

  Bayern Munich manager Hansi Flick. EPA

• 

  Left to right: Bayern Munich manager Hansi Flick, full-back Alvaro Odriozola, and fitness coach Holger Broich. EPA

• 

  Left to right: David Alaba, Jerome Boateng, Hansi Flick, and Alphonso Davies. EPA

The Bundesliga season will restart on May 16 and become the first European league to resume amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The German Football League (DFL) said on Thursday the season would resume under the terms of a strict health protocol that bans fans from the stadium, with several matches – including the Ruhr valley derby between Borussia Dortmund and Schalke – taking place on the relaunch day.

Defending champions Bayern Munich, who sit four points clear of Dortmund, will travel to face Union Berlin on the Sunday.

While it was no normal restart given the empty stands and other restrictions, it was crucial to resume play, DFL chief executive Christian Seifert told a news conference.

He was speaking after a meeting with first and second division clubs following the government's decision on Wednesday to give the green light for the Bundesliga restart and throw a financial lifeline to the cash-strapped clubs.

The DFL is desperate to finish the season by June 30, even without spectators, to be contractually in compliance with sponsors and broadcasters. It had warned any further delay could be "existence-threatening" for some clubs.

"The season finale will take place at the end of June," Seifert said, with June 27-28 as a likely date.

Uefa President Aleksander Ceferin believes the news is a positive step forward.

"It is great news that the German authorities have agreed that the Bundesliga can return," he said. "This is a huge and positive step to bringing optimism back to people's lives.

"It is the result of constructive dialogue and careful planning between the football authorities and politicians and I am confident that Germany will provide a shining example to all of us in how to bring football – with all its excitement, emotion and unpredictability – back into our lives.

"I wish everyone connected with this every success."

Bayern Munich, chasing an eighth successive title, currently lead the table with 55 points from 25 games, four ahead of Borussia Dortmund with RB Leipzig third on 50. There are nine rounds of matches left to play.