RB Leipzig draft in raised airport gangway to help with social distancing in Bundesliga restart against Freiburg
RB LEIPZIG drafted in a raised airport gangway in order to comply with social distancing measures for their Bundesliga match against Freiburg.
Football finally returned with live action this weekend from the Bundesliga in Germany after the country's lockdown was relaxed amid the coronavirus pandemic.
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And a gangway was delivered to the stadium from Leipzig/Halle Airport on Friday with health & safety rules and regs taking far greater importance than usual.
In order to fit all the coaches and players while maintaining the required distance between them of 1.5 metres, the gangway was necessary to extend the space available into the stand.
The gangway acts as a connecting staircase between the dugout by the side of the pitch and the spillover area.
Leipzig's nifty innovation came about thanks to a brainwave from their Operations team.
More space than usual is required with social distancing being adhered to in Leipzig's Red Bull Arena.
There is a height difference of about 3m between the pitch and the seats in the stand so instead of helping passengers off the plane, the airport gangway is now escorting subs down to the pitch.
Uwe Schuhardt - a spokesman for Leipzig/Halle Airport - said: "Special situations require special measures. We are happy to help."
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A full fixture list is being played in the Bundesliga this weekend, the first major European league to return to action after Covid-19.
Fans watching on TV had to adjust to watching the action with no fans in the stadium, no crowd noise and the sight of substitutes wearing masks and sitting apart from their team-mates.
Erling Haaland scored the first goal of the return, before the Dortmund ace celebrated while socially distancing from team-mates.
Football is yet to return to the UK but with Premier League bosses and the government keen for a return to action, top-flight matches are set to restart on June 19.