Top-tier clubs in soccer-crazy Turkey are set to return to action June 12 after a three-month pause over COVID-19, but the country’s soccer industry is facing a bleak future as the fallout of the pandemic aggravates its long-running financial troubles.

The industry was already ailing when the novel coronavirus officially arrived in Turkey March 11. It was suffering from financial hardships as well as a decline in sportive success as a result of growing economic and administrative issues in recent years. When the Turkish Soccer Federation (TFF) decided to resume league play behind closed doors, the news was met with vocal objections, especially from club trainers and players, who see the resumption as premature. Yet, money talks.

The risk of financial collapse in a giant industry is seen as the main driver behind the decision of the TFF, which refused to join the basketball and volleyball federations in ending their seasons. Despite a number of COVID-19 cases among players and club staffers, TFF President Nihat Ozdemir has stood firm on resuming the Super League to complete the remaining eight games of the season. The lower First League will follow suit June 19 and three smaller leagues next month. Some 200 teams will be back on the pitch for a game that often brings players into close contact, despite social distancing rules. 

As of June 10, Turkey ranked 11th in the world in the number of COVID-19 cases, which totaled more than 173,000, including over 4,700 fatalities. Officials reported 922 new cases and 17 deaths for the day. Eager to revive the shrinking economy, the government greatly relaxed restrictions on business and travel June 1, maintaining that the pandemic is largely under control. Yet, worries persist that the reopening could trigger a second contagion wave.