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A week ago, the Federal Council ordered ghost games across the country (maximum 50 spectators) until further notice to slow the spread of the corona pandemic. A severe blow to professional clubs whose existence is threatened by lost revenue from tickets and catering.
On Wednesday, the Federal Council devoted itself to the issue of support for sport. Federal Counsel Viola Amherd’s DDPS is tasked with submitting a document by November 15 that will examine the benchmarks for granting A-fond-perdu contributions, among other things. The exchange with sports representatives will continue, said the Sports Minister. “Sport is important for society, but also for the economy,” emphasizes Amherd.
They want to clarify to what extent A-fonds-perdu’s contributions are “necessary and to what extent they are responsible,” says Amherd. “We must always keep in mind that there is tax money available. And that must be seen in the general context of the economy. “
If you decide on A-fonds-perdu contributions, you must do so under “clear conditions”. “And then I am of the opinion that this should be decided quickly and made available,” explains the Sports Minister.
Interest-free loans available from December 1
Furthermore, in its new Covid-19 Ordinance on team sports, the Federal Council specified “guidelines for the management” of loans totaling CHF 175 million per year (2020 and 2021). It enters into force on December 1 and replaces the previous provisions on sports financing.
This stipulates that the federal government can support clubs with interest-free (subordinated) loans in the amount of up to a quarter of their operating expenses in the 2018/2019 season. To do this, clubs must provide a guarantee of 25 percent of the loan. “The loan will be used exclusively to guarantee the club’s participation in the corresponding league game,” says the regulations.
Amherd demands salary transparency
Loans must be repaid over the next ten years. If clubs cannot repay the money within three years, they must reduce salaries by a maximum of one-fifth. This is limited to those salaries that exceed the maximum amount of the insured earnings in the compulsory accident insurance (currently around 148,000 francs).
In addition to professional clubs, semi-professional team sports from the respective top leagues, such as basketball, handball, floorball, volleyball, and women’s football and ice hockey can also benefit from the loan. The offer of help runs until the end of 2021.
For the Federal Council, transparency is essential for these loans, emphasizes Amherd. Clubs must also have open salaries.
“This is an important day for sports”
“This is an important day for Swiss sport and especially for Swiss professional football. We have waited a long time for these loans to become available. Now our clubs can finally tap into the money that is supposed to ensure their short-term liquidity. Some clubs will need it urgently, ”says Claudius Schäfer, CEO of the Swiss Football League. “We very much welcome the fact that the Federal Council is considering the contributions of A-fonds-perdu and confirming the relevance of professional sports in general. But we also understand that such a decision must first be seriously examined. We will be happy to provide information and answer questions. The existence of professional football is in jeopardy due to the fact that registration rights have been lost for several months. “
The reaction in ice hockey is equally positive. “We are certainly satisfied that the interest-free loan regulation was approved in the board-reviewed form,” says NL Director Denis Vaucher. “We are very happy and grateful that the Federal Council is now examining aid in the form of contributions from A-fonds-perdu. We will have the opportunity to show what financial damage the second wave and officially prescribed ghost games leave clubs with. “
Vaucher continues: “Mrs. Federal Counsel Amherd has taken the reins. That is very positive for Swiss sport. “(Sr / skr / sda)
