Lower-division soccer clubs among hardest hit by pandemic

A Spanish third-division soccer team had just started selling a special membership package for the decisive portion of the season, hoping to bring in some extra income.

Another was counting on the boost from revenue on the back of ticket sales for the upcoming derby against a regional rival, one of its biggest matches of the season.

They were not expecting the coronavirus outbreak, nor to see soccer come to a halt.

The suspension of competitions across the globe has taken a toll on top teams everywhere, but it will be for the smaller clubs that the financial impact may cause the most damage.

While the stoppage has already forced some teams in the major leagues to cut players' salaries, the effect of the crisis on lower-division clubs may be even more dire, lasting longer and possibly leading to financial collapse.

"Every team in the third division will suffer serious consequences," Franco Caselli, president of Spanish third-division club Burgos, told The Associated Press.

"Some more than others, depending on their economic situation."
"That was a 20 percent increase in new memberships at this stage, so the losses will be important."
"We don't know how long this will last."
"That has made it impossible to respect (a) deadline for players' wages."
English clubs also struggled to withstand the crisis. Fifth-tier Barnet had to place all non-playing staff on notice in "emergency measures to preserve the club."
Club chairman Tony Kleanthous said it was his "responsibility to ensure Barnet FC continues to survive and remains financially stable and therefore, I have had to make difficult decisions."