How Germany did it: completing the soccer season in Europe
Munich's players celebrate in front of the empty stands after the German Bundesliga soccer match between VfL Wolfsburg and FC Bayern Munich in Wolfsburg, Germany, Saturday, June 27, 2020. A SEASON LIKE NO OTHERThe games were eerie as players shouts echoed off empty concrete terraces and the colorful fan displays were gone. It helped that Germany was a world leader in ramping up its coronavirus testing. Bundesliga players spent less time training at home than their counterparts in England or Spain because of Germany's quick move to socially distanced training in groups. The English Premier League and Spanish league are both heading into talks on new domestic TV rights cycles from 2022.
Black Lives Matter in Bundesliga, Bayern keeps winning
(Lars Baron, Pool via AP)BERLIN Germanys soccer league was marked by gestures against racism and support for the Black Lives Matter movement on Saturday as Bayern Munich took another step toward a record-extending eighth straight Bundesliga title. All of Borussia Dortmund and Hertha Berlins 22 outfield players took a knee in the center-circle together before the top tier's late game with no fans present. Bayern's players had Black Lives Matter printed on their armbands, partly covering sponsor Qatar Airways logo on the left arm. Robert Lewandowski scored Bayerns fourth to claim his 30th Bundesliga goal of the season, set up by Thomas Mller, who now has 20 assists. It also had to do without fans, as all Bundesliga games are being played without supporters amid strict hygiene measures against coronavirus.
The Latest: Lewandowski goal as Bayern makes winning return
Employees of the Federal State Center for Special Risk Rescue Operations of Russia Emergency Situations disinfect a hall at the Kurskiy railway station in Moscow, Russia, Friday, May 15, 2020. Robert Lewandowski scored from a penalty and Benjamin Pavard with a header as Bayern remained unbeaten in 2020. Bayern starts with Robert Lewandowski up front after the Poland forward recovered from a shin injury during the time the league was suspended. Bayern can go four points clear of second-place Borussia Dortmund with a win as it chases an eighth successive German title. The English Premier League hopes to re-start games by mid-June in empty stadiums amid the coronavirus pandemic.