Bundesliga likely to have full stadiums from March 20
Berlin, Feb 17: Germany is scrapping most coronavirus restrictions and could have full stadiums at soccer games again in March – two years after the Bundesliga last operated at full capacity. Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Wednesday after a meeting with the country’s 16 state governors that they had agreed on plans to end almost all the country’s measures against COVID-19 by March 20. Official figures show Germany’s infection rate is drifting downward. The easing of restrictions under a new three-step plan takes effect from March 4, with an initial limit at stadiums of up to 25,000 supporters or 75% capacity. (AP)
Molineux to host England int’l for 1st time since 1956
LONDON, Feb 17: Molineux, the home stadium of Premier League team Wolverhampton, is set to host an England men’s international for the first time in more than 65 years. England will play two Nations League matches – against Italy and Hungary – there in June, the Football Association said Thursday, continuing the trend of taking the national team’s fixtures away from London’s Wembley Stadium. The June 11 match against Italy will, however, take place without fans as punishment by UEFA for disturbances during the European Championship final between England and Italy. England’s senior men’s team last played at Molineux in December 1956, in a World Cup qualifier against Denmark. (AP)