Will FC Schalke have to sell their best player if they are relegated from the 2nd Bundesliga? It seems the club cannot rule out anything in its search for its financial lifeline.
In the Easter match against Karlsruher SC there was nothing in the Schalke 04 field, but the enormous loss in the coffers has been part of the Royal Blues' daily life for years.
The miners have been suffering from financial difficulties for a long time, but the situation at Schalke has rarely been as dramatic as now.
If the worst case scenario were to occur with relegation to the second division in the last seven games of the season, the club would have to try to raise money in various ways. Some variants would be extremely painful.
Schalke 04 reacts to report on stadium sale
On Wednesday, “Sport Bild” reported on the possible sale of Schalke's best asset: the Veltins Arena.
The ultra-modern stadium with retractable grass and a closable roof – unlike Schalke – still plays in the first category, is in top condition and is not only in demand for football matches.
Big events like the biathlon race or upcoming concerts Pop star Taylor Swift (34) demonstrate the attractiveness of the stadium, which was completed in 2001.
Shortly after the report was published, the club responded in a statement explaining: “As has been communicated several times in recent months, the club is fundamentally examining different options for different scenarios. “Nothing changed about that.”
The Gelsenkirchen team is in 2nd. Bundesliga in the battle for relegation. As table 14. The Revierklub is two points ahead of the relegation place. A relegation to the 3rd league would hit the indebted club hard.
What the sale of the stadium would bring is not entirely clear. But one thing is clear: expensive player sales will not be an economic lifesaver, taking into account the squad and its results in the current season. With possible millions of dollars, the club could avoid imminent collapse.
By Béla Csányi