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Bundesliga referees will face huge obstacle 'keeping concentration with no atmosphere in grounds' and 'they will need to be mentally tough to keep themselves switched on', claims former top Premier League official Mark Halsey

Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey has explained why Bundesliga referees may find adapting to games behind closed doors as difficult as the players.

The German top-flight returns this weekend and is the first major European league to get up and running again during the coronavirus pandemic.

However, all games will be without spectators due to restrictions on mass gatherings, and given the eerie silence that will fill stadiums during play, Halsey says officials could naturally struggle with their concentration levels.

The Bundesliga will restart this weekend, with all games taking place behind closed doors

The Bundesliga will restart this weekend, with all games taking place behind closed doors

Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey says officials could naturally lose concentration

BUNDESLIGA RETURN - OPENING FIXTURES

Saturday May 16

  • 14:30 BST: Dortmund v Schalke
  • RB Leipzig v Freiburg
  • Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin
  • Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn
  • Augsburg v Wolfsburg
  • 17:30 BST: Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach

Sunday May 17

  • 14:30 BST: FC Köln v Mainz
  • 17:00 BST: Union Berlin v Bayern Munich

Monday May 18

  • 19:30 BST: Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen

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'On my road to recovery after beating cancer in March 2010, I officiated an Under-23s game in front of 50 people,' Halsey says in his column for The Sun.