Picture: Keystone
It is still impossible to estimate how and when things will go on in Swiss football. FCZ President Ancillo Canepa is worried about the uncertain situation the longer.
Last Thursday, the Federal Council announced the first easing of the measures in the Corona crisis – but not for sport, which, as expected, has to be patient. So also the Swiss Football League. It is still open whether and how the season can be played to the end. The remaining games may have to be played as ghost games. The continuing uncertainty is also leaving its mark on those responsible for the club.
In a written interview with the “Tagesanzeiger”, Ancillo Canepa made it clear: “Worries have increased massively. Another two weeks have passed in which nothing has happened. On Thursday, nothing was decided that we could have used as a guide. » The FCZ president lacks any planning security. «We are in a vacuum. We can’t plan, we have no revenue, but we have ongoing costs – it’s a rat tail. »
All Swiss clubs are doing this, which is why Canepa is worried the more the longer. “The way I interpret the signals from Bundesbern, you are apparently willing to wait until most clubs actually become immediately insolvent,” criticizes the 66-year-old.
Ghost games until the end of the year as a worst-case scenario
Should the FCZ have to contest the remaining 13 in front of empty ranks, the club box office, according to Canepa, will lack around five million francs. “The loss of revenue is one side, the other the high costs that will also arise with ghost games,” he explains.
The situation will be even more dramatic if the ban on viewers is not lifted by the end of the year. “No club can handle such a scenario,” believes Canepa. “Missing sales, including in the areas of advertising and sponsorship, lead to massive losses, which means that equity is used up. That means there is a risk of over-indebtedness and illiquidity. »
Either way – at the end of the season the FCZ will definitely lack money. The question remains who should or can plug the hole. “If I’d know that. In my view, not those who did not cause this situation, »Canepa wrote. «The Canepa family has once again made grants and guarantees. But for us personally, the end of the flagpole will be reached at some point. » All the more, Canepa hopes to be able to return to normal operation at least in the new season.
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