UEFA 'making plans to finish the season in AUGUST'

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In their attempts to rescue the 2019-20 season, UEFA have drawn up plans to extend the season into August while delaying the following campaign, which could also be shortened. 

The devastating affects of the coronavirus have so far included the 12-month postponement of EURO 2020, a decision set to cost UEFA millions. 

European leagues and knock-out competitions are under serious threat of being cancelled, with organisers scrambling to find a way to finish the campaign, fearing broadcasters will pursue a rebate on their billion-pound TV deals. 

According to the Times UEFA are now developing plans to finish the the current season in August - when the 2020-21 season was scheduled to start - and kick-off a condensed new campaign deeper into the year. 

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has already hinted at this possibility of 'ending this season at the start of the next', though it is still unclear if even this will be possible. 

While the Premier League has been postponed until April 30th, La Liga and Serie A have already been suspended indefinitely, with Spain and Italy Europe's worst affected nations.  

There is still little way of knowing how long the delay could last, with the English top-flight now entertaining the idea of forgoing its famous atmosphere to play matches behind closed doors. 

Clubs are set to suffer financially, with sides such as Arsenal bringing in 24 per cent of their annual earnings from match revenue. 

Juventus' squad has agreed to forego four months of pay to help soften the blow, with star man Cristiano Ronaldo giving up more than £9million. 

Meanwhile, Barcelona were one of the first clubs to ask their players to take wage cuts due to their huge annual bill. 

The Nou Camp side are pushing for their stars to take a huge 70 per cent wage reduction, something Lionel Messi and Co have refused so far.