Coronavirus watch: Norway clubs sack players

Professional footballers in Norway have been temporarily laid off [COURTESY]

Professional footballers in Norway have been temporarily laid off as clubs struggle to cope with the economic impact of the spread of coronavirus, with the government stepping in to cover wages, players’ union NISO has told Reuters.

With stadiums closed and uncertainty over TV revenues, clubs in other countries have issued financial warnings as the virus continues to spread, and Norway is believed to be the first country to announce such sweeping temporary layoffs.

While clubs in countries like England and Spain can pay top players and managers huge salaries backed by lucrative TV deals and sponsorship agreements, teams in smaller European countries often live on the edge, trying to pay competitive wages while balancing the books.