How Man City owners are fighting coronavirus on EIGHT fronts with clubs all around the world hit by pandemic

MANAGING one club has been hard enough over the last few weeks as the coronavirus sent football into turmoil.

So imagine trying to keep a handle on what is going on at EIGHT clubs around the globe.

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That is the task facing the City Football Group, which has become one of the biggest sport institutions in the world over the last seven years.

As well as Manchester City, the CFG owns teams in America, Australia, Spain, Japan, China, India and Uruguay.

There are 13 offices around the world, more than 2,000 employees and 1,500 players on their books.

When a ten per cent share was sold to US private-equity firm Silver Lake last year, the group’s value was estimated at just under £4BILLION.

So the stakes are high right now and limiting the damage done by the pandemic is crucial.

The Group’s vision talks of “Using football for social good on a local and global scale” — and never has that been more needed than now.

There is a determination within CFG to continue to do that — even without any  football being played. What makes it such a unique challenge is that the pandemic is  at different stages for each of the clubs.

For instance, at Sichuan Jiuniu in China, they are ready to return to training and action.

Japan’s Yokohama F. Marinos had a return date set for May 10, although the country announced a state of emergency on Tuesday, so this now seems unlikely.

Further east at Melbourne City, the A-League was one of the last to be shut down, with the decision announced on March 24, 11 days after the Premier League.

Meanwhile, in India, they are looking for a date when Mumbai City and their rivals in the Indian Super League can get the season up and running.

Pep Guardiola’s City — the jewel in the CFG crown — only know they will be out of action for the foreseeable future, with the Premier League suspended indefinitely.

While most of the players are self-isolating and keeping themselves fit, the work goes on for many of the staff to see where the clubs can help.

Omar Berrada, City’s chief operating officer, said: “Covid-19 is presenting the whole world with a unique challenge.

“We are working across all our clubs globally to ensure we can support our communities, wherever they are.

“Whether it’s through tangible support for isolated fans — particularly elderly and  vulnerable ones — exercise tips for those at home, or simply entertaining content.”

Credit: PA:Press Association

At City, the Etihad has been given to the NHS to help train staff on the frontline.

Some clubs are donating to the local food banks to get supplies to those who need it, while others are phoning round elderly or isolated fans in need of a lift.

Getting the health-related messages out there is another important role.

In Mumbai, the club badge has been temporarily altered, with the train removed to try to encourage people to stay at home.

Up to 10,000 free lunches could be given out to children in poor areas by Montevideo City Torque in Uruguay.

Yesterday in the Big Apple, New York City FC announced a six-figure donation to the New York Common Pantry, a food bank which will help provide 100,000 meals for  families in the Bronx.

And at Girona FC in Spain’s second division, there is a fund-raising effort taking place to generate cash for a local hospital.

A CFG source said: “All our clubs are doing a range of things to try to help their local communities.

“We are holding regular conference calls — once a week or even more — to make sure we are helping each other out.

It’s also been useful to see what has worked well at one club and whether we can­  replicate it at others.

“If it’s relevant then we are more than happy to try it.

“But all of our clubs are doing a range of things to help in the community as much as we can.”

Keeping a link with their fans despite football being shut down completely has also been crucial to the thinking for the CFG clubs.

Last week, Manchester City started the ‘Cityzens at home’ portal on their website, which involves both players and coaches.

Daily skills challenges, coaching, colouring and food recipes are just some of the items included.

While the clubs have always promoted esports, they have never been more popular than they are now, with no actual football to watch.

The CFG source added: “We were big on esports anyway and it’s proving to be a great way to stay in touch with our fans.

“We’ve had players and  legends involved.

“It’s important that the  connection between clubs and fans stays during these difficult times.

“We are also putting out as much content as we can.

“And we are encouraging players to do as much as they can at home.

“We don’t know how long it’s going to go on for — but we like to think we can  continue to play our part.”

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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk