The Corona pandemic casts a shadow over most of the world’s soccer clubs, as its impact was clearly evident, especially in light of the suspension of all leagues in the world, especially major European leagues, despite the resumption of the German season’s activities weeks ago.
This sudden and prolonged interruption has caused a significant decline in the level of financial returns, on which clubs depend chiefly, from match income, TV broadcast revenues, and sponsor contracts, as clubs are financially independent, and have a self-reliant privatization in spending on their players and employees.
And when we see big clubs in the old continent the size of Manchester United, which is the most financially income club in the world, and the rest of clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona, demanding their players to reduce their salaries, there is no doubt that the issue is important, and the impact is great, although they are clubs with huge budgets.
This is an indication that the clubs have financial independence, and set future solutions to any crisis that may arise, but at the same time it confirms that the Corona pandemic has revealed its financially negative effects on European clubs.
Gulf clubs in general, and Emirati clubs in particular, are supposed to learn the harsh lesson the big European clubs have received. This is despite the fact that the position of our clubs is different, as Gulf clubs generally receive direct government support, and therefore will not be affected financially significantly from the Corona pandemic, as is the case in Europe.
Imagine if the Gulf clubs were operating under a privatization system, what would their situation be, especially in these difficult times that we live under the influence of the Corona pandemic? What would have happened if privatization were present ?! Perhaps the clubs declared bankruptcy due to the fictional and huge salaries of players and coaches, and because of the poor financial resources and the weak football industry in the region, in addition to the poor performance of the sports administration. The truth is that any strong or even slight financial jolt will have a great impact on these clubs, especially on the financial level.
Corona pandemic is a harsh lesson for international clubs, so what about Arab clubs?
But it seems that our clubs did not understand the lesson, because it continues to conclude high-caliber contracts!
• Imagine if the Gulf clubs were operating under a privatization system, what would be their situation, especially in these difficult times?
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