The German government and the federal states have agreed the German Bundesliga season can resume later this month without spectators.
The Bundesliga will become the first major league in Europe to return to competition, with a date for resumption to be confirmed by the German Football League (DFL) on Friday (NZ time).
Chancellor Angela Merkel made the initial announcement as part of measures to begin easing the country’s lockdown aimed at halting the spread of coronavirus.
"Today's decision is good news for the Bundesliga and the 2nd Bundesliga," said DFL chief executive Christian Seifert.
"It comes with a great responsibility for the clubs and their employees to implement the medical and organisational requirements in a disciplined manner."
He added that "games without stadium spectators are not an ideal solution for anyone."
"However, in a crisis that threatens the existence of some clubs, it is the only way to ensure the continued existence of the leagues in their current form."
A government statement also said teams would have to go into quarantined training camps ahead of the restart.
The leagues have been suspended since March 13 because of the coronavirus outbreak but will now aim to complete the remaining nine rounds without fans by June 30.
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 to play.
English Premier League clubs warned to back neutral venues
The English Premier League (EPL) season could be cancelled if teams do not agree to play the remaining 92 fixtures in neutral venues amid the COVID-19 pandemic, says League Managers Association chief executive Richard Bevan.
Professional soccer in England has been suspended since mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has killed more than 32,000 people in the United Kingdom, the highest death toll in Europe.
Discussions are continuing about resuming matches after clubs were told on a EPL conference call earlier this month that only neutral venues approved from a health and safety point of view will be allowed.
Asked if the 2019/20 campaign would be cancelled if teams voted against playing in neutral venues, Bevan told the BBC: "Yes, I think that probably is correct."
"The government, if they haven't already, will be making it clear that home matches with densely populated stadia, really puts into question whether social distancing rules can be adhered to."
But Aston Villa chief executive Christian Purslow said he's against the proposal.
Villa, having played a game less than those around them, sit in the relegation zone as things stand, two points behind West Ham - who are outside the bottom three on goal difference - with Brighton a further two points better off in 15th place.
"Personally I'm against it," Purslow said on the UK's talkSPORT radio.
"We're a club that prides itself on home form. Two-thirds of our wins this season have come at home.
"We've got six home games left to play and I think any Villa fan would agree that giving up that advantage is a massive decision for somebody running Aston Villa and I certainly wouldn't agree to that unless those circumstances are right."
Reuters
