Due to the ongoing outbreak, DOSB estimates that club memberships have dropped by between five and 15 per cent, stating it will be detrimental to clubs' finances.

"In the pandemic, sports clubs have proven to be adaptable and robust organisations and have thus once again confirmed the corresponding scientific findings of recent years," read the latest newsletter from the DOSB.

"They are mostly carried out on a voluntary basis, based on the solidarity and membership principle and not on fast-moving customer relationships.

"However, there are currently no members joining during the year to compensate for the usual fluctuation.

"The looming decline in membership will weaken the financial basis of club sports and the financing of sports associations and associations."

There have so far been 320,000 coronavirus cases in Germany with 9,599 deaths.

"We are convinced that most sports clubs will compensate for this development in the medium term, but in the current situation they absolutely need additional public support, in the medium term especially to maintain the functionality, in the longer term to retain and attract members," said the DOSB. 

"Because they are confronted with a loss of income and clubs can only draw on reserves to a small extent due to the previously legally restricted possibility to build up reserves to face the crisis.

"In addition, financial aid will be required in the next few years in order to initiate targeted programmes to retain and attract members."

DOSB also claimed that professional and semi-professional clubs have been suffering the most with the limit on spectators while still having to pay their players.

DOSB also asked for more sports facilities to be made fully available again, as well as allowing forms of organised sport to go ahead.