Fear grips Swedish soccer as virus delays start of season

Saturday was supposed to mark the beginning of a new Swedish soccer season, fuelled by the prospect of big broadcasting revenues from a new domestic TV deal and expectations of another tight title race to match last year's dramatic finale.

Then, in two months' time, Sweden's national team was supposed to be playing in the European Championship, with confidence high two years after a run to the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 1994.

Instead, the rapidly spreading coronavirus has forced a two-month delay to the Allsvenskan campaign - the "early June" start date will now be viewed as optimistic by many - the cancellation of the Euros, and led to some Swedish clubs fearing they might soon go out of business.

A bleak picture is being painted by members of Sweden's top league, the starkest coming this week from Helsingborg.

"The truth is," the southern club's president, Krister Azelius, said, "that the effects of the coronavirus have hit us so hard that we have to question our future existence."
"The clubs were looking at pretty good times ahead, where we are getting in more money and we could attract better players. Swedish football was on the rise hopefully as soon as this storm passes, we can get going again."
Now, the clubs are getting advance payment of this sponsorship money just to survive during what Swedish Elite Football - the body that oversees the top divisions - has described as an "extraordinary and difficult situation."
"Many clubs are on their knees," said Sweden captain Andreas Granqvist, a defender for Helsingborg, "waiting for news from various quarters about what help they can get."
Walker said he and his teammates have been back in training since Monday, making sure they are "well-prepared for when the season does kick back in."