With most leagues worldwide sidelined by the pandemic, the South Korea League is the first competition of any standing to come back to life and a host of safety precautions have been imposed, with wild goal celebrations and even talking discouraged, AFP reported.

The long-delayed season-opener between defending champion Jeonbuk Motors and Cup-holder Suwon Bluewings was watched by sport-starved fans in a swathe of foreign countries, as Jeonbuk Motors won 1-0.

Ahead of the match only the media section of the stadium, which hosted three matches of the 2002 World Cup, was occupied, and rather than cheers of anticipation, the only sound was chatter among journalists and staff.

Paper sheets taped to stadium seats spelled out “#C_U_SOON” and “STAY STRONG”, while one end was draped in a giant green banner for the Mad Green Boys, the Jeonbuk fan club.

The match, played under stringent safety guidelines, was the first glimpse of post-virus football and similar scenes are likely elsewhere as other leagues get underway.

All personnel entering the stadium had their temperatures checked and were required to wear facemasks, and hand sanitizers were located throughout the venue.

Players have been told to avoid excessive goal celebrations, handshakes, close-talking, and blowing their noses.

With fans around the world long deprived of live sport, the K-League has signed season-long rights deals with broadcasters who will show games live in 36 countries and territories including Britain, Germany, and Australia.

The K-League, whose start was delayed two months by the pandemic, will also be live-streamed on YouTube and Twitter with English graphics and commentary.

And the BBC secured a one-off deal for the opening match, which will be live-streamed on its website.

“Football is back!” the British broadcaster proclaimed, noting it had been 59 days since the last Premier League match.

Bows, not handshakes

Last year the K-League sold rights to only six countries, all of them in Asia.

“Because we had limited exposure to international fans, it is true that the K-League was largely unknown globally despite its competitiveness,” said league spokesman Lee Jong-kwoun.

“2020 will be the first year the league will be recognized and assessed on a global level.”

The K-League’s progress will be watched closely by other leagues including the giants of Europe, where Germany’s Bundesliga is the only competition so far to set a date to return, on May 16.

Players and coaching staff will have their temperatures checked before each game and anyone at 37.5°C (99.5°F) or more will be isolated and tested.

If anyone gets infected during the season, their team and those who played against them will have to take a two-week break.

And instead of the traditional pre-game handshakes, players have been asked to bow their heads from a distance.