Egyptian outfits Al Ahly open talks with players over pay cut during coronavirus pandemic era |

African giants Al Ahly has open talks with players over a possible pay cut due to financial distress on club from coronavirus crisis, leading to halting of football in Egypt.

Financial muscles of clubs in Egypt have been hit with the absence of football as the income generation through payments from sponsors and gate proceeds is negatively impacted by crisis from the coronavirus pandemic.

Ahly are among the few clubs who have taken a smart move to maintain the life span of the club by attempting to reach agreement with their players over salary cuts.

“We have a board meeting next week so we will have a better view then,” Al Ahly director Khaled Mortagy told BBC Sport Africa.

This measure has been deployed by many elite football clubs in Europe to ensure clubs survive in the coronavirus pandemic era- where income generation is largely affected by lack of football.

In Egypt, second place and third place on the Egyptian Premier League log, Arab Contractors (Al Mokawloon) and Pyramids respectively have announced cut salary for their players.

Contractors announced the cut in a bid to ensure that all staffs at least receive some sort of monthly wage during the pandemic.

But that was different for CAF Champions League participants Pyramid who cut salaries to donate medical equipment to health staffs to battle the coronavirus pandemic in Egypt.

“Financial support is the least we can offer in these circumstances,” said Pyramids’ Abdalla El Said on social media. “We are going to help the country cope with coronavirus.”

Egypt’s Sports Ministry and Football Association – who collaborated to hand the season a suspension until the end of the month – have called the country’s wealthier clubs to financially assist those who are struggling in the lower divisions. Many are struggling to pay the salaries of players and staff.