The sums in question in the A-League may not be as mouth-watering as those in England’s top tier but when there is no football being played due to the coronavirus outbreak, it is clear that clubs are going to struggle.
Already, a number have stood staff, including players, down. Times are dire and nobody knows when professional football will restart in much of the world, including Australia and Asia.
There has rarely been much Asian unity in terms of football. The continent is just too big and diverse. There is some regional feeling, especially in Southeast Asia, but there is much that could improve in this area.
Some continental co-operation would not go amiss in times like these. In normal circumstances, A-League talent is snapped up by Asian clubs and are seen as relatively cheap but the players receive a hefty pay increase.
Playing even in the K-League, not by any stretch the most lucrative destination on the continent, can make a huge difference to financial security.
Obviously, there are not as many options in Asia at the moment as usual but there are those who are looking ahead. In a lot of leagues around the continent, clubs are not as reliant on matchday income as some of their counterparts elsewhere can be.
Broadcasting deals in many countries are fairly modest, tickets sales can be fairly negligible and then there are the owners.
Some of the ownership models in Asia have been criticised for not being conducive for positioning clubs in the heart of local communities in the past. In times like this however, there are some advantages.
Whether it be real estate conglomerates in China, electronics manufacturers in Korea, steel companies in India, Sheikhs in the west or police or military or state-funded teams in Southeast Asia, there are different models that mean that there is less immediate financial pressure on some clubs that could otherwise be the case.
Erik Paartalu told The World Game recently that he was considering a few options in Asia after the end of the Indian Super League season last month and recommended that compatriots look to the subcontinent.
The midfielder has re-signed for Bengaluru FC. With a fairly short season, the ISL are hopeful that training will begin in June or July with the next campaign getting going soon after.
Saudi Arabia has seven spots reserved for foreign players but there is increasing concern in the country that too much is being paid to the usual array of Brazilians, Argentinians and Europeans and that costs should be reduced.
There are calls for more Asians to be recruited. China is preparing for a new transfer window later in April in the hope that the league can start in May and there are Uzbekistan teams that are thinking about new imports.
South Korean sides have empty spots for ASEAN players and while Australia may not be part of Southeast Asia, FFA is a member of the region’s football body. Southeast Asia itself is the closest region with numerous leagues that have a long way to go.
Whatever happens in Australia, there is going to be little football played in the next six months. As leagues around Asia, hopefully, start to get going from May, June and later, it can do no harm for clubs in the A-League to work with continental counterparts to try and find short-term loan deals for their players.
If their wages stay the same in Asia as they are in Australia then they will be seen as a bargain. The chance to employ some fine Australian talent in what is likely to be a busy period will be welcomed by some.
Nobody knows what is going to happen anywhere when football starts again and that includes Asia. Nobody knows exactly what playing squads will look like.
There are going to be holes that need to be filled and this is likely to happen at the same time that the A-League is not being played. Some of those holes can be plugged.
