"The health ministers of the states join the federal health minister in the firm conviction that it is not possible to open the stadiums for spectators against the background of the pandemic," was contained in a press release after the meeting of the Conference of Health Ministers (GM K) on Monday night. The German Football League (DFL) reacted to the political decision on Tuesday. The "main priority" obviously remains the "containment of the coronavirus." At the same time, it should be "the target in all areas of life to endeavour to return in the direction of normality. The DFL and the clubs from the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 will accordingly continue to prepare as best as possible for the return of spectators to stadiums."
The 36 professional clubs in Germany had recently agreed a plan for the return of spectators during the coronavirus pandemic. The plan envisaged no standing and no alcohol sales until the end of October, a ban on away fans to the end of the year plus the collection of all contact details. The new Bundesliga is set to start on 18 September.
RTL broadcast the quarter-final clash between the Werkself and Inter Milan on Monday night free to air. An average of 3.31 million viewers watched the Black and Reds lose 2-1 against the Nerazzurri, which represents a market share of 14 per cent. At the peak, up to four million viewers watched the German-Italian knockout match.
This question has now become as obligatory at a press conference with Peter Bosz as his "assessment of the match" or questions about player availability: What is the future for Kai Havertz? And, of course, crystal ball gazing was on the agenda after the game against Inter Milan. Bosz handled it with humour: "Yes, I can inform you that Kai Havertz will play for Heracles Almelo next season." Why Almelo? Bosz coached the Dutch top-flight club for three years before moving on to Vitesse Arnhem in the summer of 2013. Up to now, Almelo is the club where the 56-year-old has been in the dugout for the most matches. Bosz' former club reacted to the statement with a humorous post on social media:
In almost tropical temperatures by the River Dhünn, the traditional kick-off event at the Leverkusen sports college took place – even if under restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic. In the open air and wearing masks, the 24 'newcomers’ born between 2003 and 2005 gained their first impressions ahead of the start of the new academic year. "This event serves to give them all the necessary information," explained Steffi Nerius, the head of the sports college. "Our aim is to combine high-performance sports with education through optimum time management."
The new arrivals are Aaron, Amin, Ayman, Chiara, Giancarlo, Joyce, Luca, Marcel, Sadik, Sofie, Tiago, Volkan (football), Allegra, Luca, Edy, Lukas, Simon (athletics), Christin, Sophie, Nele (handball), Lukka, Milton (basketball), Tim and Svenja (fencing).
Midfielder Ruby Grant is leaving Bayer 04 Leverkusen and joining Portuguese runners-up Sporting CP a year before her contract expires. The 24-year-old has been at the Werkself since January 2025.
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Bayer 04 have loaned Brazilian full-back Arthur to Bundesliga side Werder Bremen for one year. Arthur Augusto de Matos Soares – the full name of the right-back – has a contract with Leverkusen until 30 June 2031. At Werder, the 23-year-old is expected to make an impact and help the long-established club further consolidate their position in the Bundesliga.
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Bayer 04 have loaned defender Jeanuel Belocian to Spanish top-flight side Racing Santander. The 21-year-old defender joins the team currently ninth in La Liga until the end of the current 2026/27 season. Belocian’s contract remains valid until 30 June 2029. Last season, the 1.86-metre-tall U21 international was loaned to VfL Wolfsburg for six months.
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He knows the dressing room, the pitch and the club. But, above all, he knows the feeling of playing for the Werkself at the BayArena: Moussa Diaby is back in Leverkusen after three years. The lightning-fast winger has signed a contract with Bayer 04 until 2031 and he will once again wear the number 19 jersey. The left-footed player previously played for the club from 2019 to 2023, having arrived in the Rhineland from his native France as a promising young talent and eventually leaving the club – having established himself as one of the Bundesliga’s best attackers – to join Aston Villa in the Premier League. Now he has returned to Bayer 04 from Al-Ittihad FC in Saudi Arabia.
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