Shanghai (AFP)
Chinese soccer clubs are on the verge of cutting player salaries to offset the financial cost of the coronavirus pandemic, mimicking several championships around the world, the federation announced on Thursday.
The Chinese Football Federation said after discussions on Thursday, clubs in the first three divisions will negotiate terms for a "reasonable" cut in wages.
In Europe, several top clubs such as Barça by Lionel Messi, Juve by Cristiano Ronaldo or Real Madrid have implemented salary cuts.
Players of the Chinese Super League (CSL), the first Chinese division which has offered a gold bridge to several foreign stars in recent years to develop, have been strongly urged to follow the European example.
The wage cuts will be applied retroactively from March 1 and will last until the start of the new season, suspended until at least the end of May, according to local press.
The start of the championship was originally scheduled for February 22 but was postponed as the coronavirus epidemic expanded from the cradle of the epidemic in Wuhan, central China.
"Professional football clubs and investors face operational difficulties," said the federation, reporting "high demands" from clubs for a "reasonable" drop in salaries in the face of their financial burden.
"The epidemic has also had a huge impact on the development of world football," added the federation, which said it had received support from Fifa in its efforts.
Some CSL players are among the highest paid in the world, like the Brazilian Oscar (Shanghai SIPG) who, according to the press, earns $ 30 million a year. Several of them have already made donations to help the nursing staff.
© 2020 AFP