by Mya Bollan

Scottish Football clubs to struggle as the game is suspended until 30 April at the earliest.

Despite the Scottish football authorities (SFA) providing £1.5 million of funding, the financial hardship that coronavirus will inevitably bring to Scottish football may force clubs out of business.

Hearts have already asked their players to take a 50% wage cut because of the financial impact of the outbreak. The club says it is taking these measures to protect jobs and avoid redundancies.

Aberdeen chairman, Dave Cormack, has today released a statement explaining the financial hardship the club faces due to the outbreak. Explaining the current situation as “unsustainable”.

Clubs around the country rely on week to week match day income in order to pay players, staff and to run business as usual. If top tier clubs like Hearts and Aberdeen have already been forced to take such measure, money troubles facing smaller clubs are inevitable.

Raith Rovers, amongst other clubs, have taken alternative funding methods like promoting pages set up by fans to support their team by donating money.

The ban has also seen training sessions being cancelled.

The Professional Footballers Association have ensured that players will not be called in to training during the outbreak. This creates an increased hurdle for clubs as fitness levels may drop, meaning that players will not be match ready when the ban is eventually lifted.

Craig Easton has been involved in football for over 20 years. He is currently assistant manager at League 2 club Cowdenbeat.

“Players are concerned about what is happening regarding the rest of the season and the financial implications of it all.”

Craig Easton

A number of clubs are taking measures to ensure that their players will keep active during this time.

Luc Bollan is on loan at Peterhead from Aberdeen:

Uncertainty remains over how footballers, other sports people and the general public will be able to maintain fitness if the country goes into full lockdown in the coming days, weeks or even months.

Clubs are using their social media to get fans involved in exercise to keep followers active even when social distancing. Ayr United and their academy are getting their twitter followers involved.

Personal trainers, exercise websites, bloggers and vloggers are all promoting home work outs to help people keep fit and healthy throughout the coronavirus outbreak.