Wage cuts for footballers should not be ruled out as the sport tackles the effects of the stoppage caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the head of Italy's soccer federation (FIGC) has said.
Italy has emerged as the worst-hit country outside China with over 35,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus and nearly 3,000 deaths.
Serie A was the first of the big five European leagues to be suspended and the stoppage is expected to last for weeks or months, causing significant damage to clubs' revenues.
Meanwhile, huge numbers of ordinary supporters are facing unemployment as societies go into lockdown.
"It can't be taboo to talk about salary cuts," FIGC president Gabriele Gravina told Radio 24.
"We must understand that the emergency applies to everyone and our world must also have the ability to change. We have been called upon to make gestures of great responsibility."
In reply, the head of the Italian Players' Union Damiano Tommasi said "the sustainability of the football system during and after this global crisis is obviously of extreme interest to all those who live in this system, including footballers".
"We all have an interest in preserving the economic balance and for this very reason we must evaluate all the elements of the moment," he told ANSA news agency.
"Lack of revenue, postponement of competitions, cancellation of events, government contributions, federal aid, support from international institutions. All of these elements will affect the players."
The English Football League today announced a £50m short-term relief package to assist cash-strapped second, third and fourth-tier clubs during the crisis while at home Bray Wanderers , Drogheda United and Galway United have reportedly suspended payments to players and staff.
Meanwhile, in Italy, Serie A club Cagliari said their first team would resume training on Monday despite the pandemic, and that players would be divided into small groups to respect social distancing guidelines.
"Cagliari Calcio announces that the resumption of the first team's athletic activities has been scheduled for Monday, March 23rd," said a statement.
"The sessions will be held by dividing the players into groups, in order to ensure proper compliance with health regulations."
However, the AIC has said that teams should not train at present.
"We have denounced the behaviour of some clubs because they even want the players to train during these days," said AIC president Damiano Tommasi.
"The players should also stay at home in this situation."
