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Sion President Christian Constantin looks to the future with lines of concern. Image: KEYSTONE
I’m glad of the help, however the Swiss professional clubs are giving up state aid for the time being
Swiss professional sports receive the required financial support from the federal government. The Federal Council plans to make loans of up to CHF 350 million to soccer and hockey clubs in the major leagues. SFL CEO Claudius Schäfer and hockey league director Denis Vaucher are delighted: “It is an important message from politics to sport,” emphasizes Schäfer, that possible loans have made the current situation to be. ” less explosive. “
But who will make use of federal loans, which are subject to difficult conditions like a 20 percent pay cut in three years? Most of the Super League clubs are leaving.
“Financial aid is not urgent for us,” Thun President Markus Lüthi told SRF. “It becomes more acute when we resume games in reduced conditions, without spectators. If costs go up again, we need financial help. ” It would be a risk to apply for a loan, especially if you don’t know how the situation will unfold, but “otherwise it means turning off the lights because you no longer have money. You take out a loan if necessary.
Thun President Markus Lüthi only needs financial help if the game is played over a longer period without viewers. Image: KEYSTONE
The fear of reimbursement.
Xamax owner Jeff Collet was also happy to hear the news. “It is a good thing. Any help is welcome. However, we must not forget that it is a loan that must be paid. For this to be possible, income must be increased.”
Collet himself believes that his club will pass if there are no ghost games. “If we end the season with ghost games, Xamax needs help.” Collet sees the required pay cut as a minor problem: “In the current situation, wages will probably go down on their own.”
It sounds similar at FC Lugano: “Federal Council loans are oxygen for clubs,” says president Angelo Renzetti in “Blick.” “If the season ends in private, we should also apply for a loan. But this decision has not yet been made. “
Sion boss Christian Constantin is particularly pleased with the 20 percent pay cut. “We now have an obligation to keep operations as agile as possible because we just don’t have any income right now.” Nor is he currently thinking about a loan: “With a short-term job, we currently have a means by which the state helps us with contributions ‹A-fonds-perdu›. A loan is repayable. You have to make a profit. But we are in an industry where everyone is happy when they don’t lose anything.
For «CC» it is clear: rather a short-term job instead of a loan. Image: KEYSTONE
The Federal Council only provided the first tranche of the CHF 175 million loan for lost profits in the second half of 2020 and has announced the second tranche in the event that subsequent gambling operations are only possible to a limited extent. “But we are currently assuming that the next season will start with the viewers,” said Schäfer.
Thanks to new investors from China, Challenge Ligist GC is not dependent on new federal funds, even for ghost games. “Not today,” President Andras Gurovits told the “Tages-Anzeiger”. We don’t need the loan. We are insured this season and the next also because we are lucky to have a clean invoice ».
The aid package does not change the Swiss Football League schedule. At the general assembly scheduled for May 29, it will be decided whether the season will continue with ghost games. The Federal Council has announced the possibility of reopening the game in the two best leagues starting June 8, in compliance with a protection concept developed by the league.
“The headache has only changed”
Swiss hockey is also satisfied with the support of the federal government, but there is also uncertainty here. The big question: How should loans be repaid someday? League manager Denis Vaucher describes the conditions for reimbursement as “very difficult” and notes: “We have to be careful that clubs that survive on money do not decrease in the medium term.”
Langnau President Peter Jakob is also skeptical: “This measure only relieves the headache. It sounds good, but it doesn’t do much good, “he told the” Tages-Anzeiger. ” “Do we want to have four million francs in debt at the end of next season? How can we pay for that? Tigers Managing Director Peter Müller adds: “A loan cannot be the goal. It may be a last upbringing. But it’s clear: there is a safety net, in case it gets worse than everyone fears. “
Langnau President Peter Jakob would like not to have a headache. Image: KEYSTONE
With the federal aid package, hockey cannot be avoided in the long term, if only ghost games can be played any longer, SCB chief Marc Lüthi believes. “If we play without long-term spectators, nothing can be done with a 20 percent savings in player salaries. So we would have to question the whole system and find ways that everyone can bake two smaller rolls. ”
It is good if there is now a safety net. In the worst case, “if the situation in the fall remains unchanged,” he would certainly have to take out a loan, says Lüthi. “However, at the moment, everything is ground coffee.” (pre / sda)
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