Málaga

The Spanish second-tier club released a statement on Tuesday confirming the proposed cutbacks under an employment regulation file, known as an ERE, which will also affect the playing staff.

Football in the country has been on lockdown since March and no specific date has been set for its return.

With revenue drying up and wages still to pay, Malaga – who reached the Champions League quarter-finals in the 2012-13 season – are reported to be looking to offload up to 50 employees in a bid to safeguard the club's future.

"The club announces that it has taken the decision to present an employment regulation file for the termination and/or suspension of employment contracts," the statement read.

"Over the past few months, the entity has been undertaking various measures to ease the difficult economic situation it is experiencing. The restructuring of the club joins this package of necessary measures to ensure the permanence of Malaga Club de Futbol.

"The entity thanks fans and season ticket holders for their support during these difficult times and asks for their understanding in light of this complex process that starts today and that the entity will endure in the coming months, with the sole purpose of committing to the future of our shield."

Malaga, 14th in the Segunda Division, narrowly missed out on an immediate promotion back to LaLiga last season, beaten in the play-offs by Deportivo La Coruna.

The club has endured financial difficulties in recent seasons and, in February, president Abdullah bin Nasser Al Thani was removed from office for a six-month period, with a judicial administrator placed in charge.

The Spanish second-tier club were forced to lay off a number of staff in May after being badly hit by the disruption of the football season due to the coronavirus pandemic.

At the time, Malaga said the "restructuring of the club" was essential to safeguard their future.

On Monday, the club issued a statement to confirm that their latest cost-cutting measures "will directly affect the squad of the men's first team".

"This new restructuring combines with the economic plan that seeks to bring the club out of the complicated financial situation in which it continues to be immersed, despite recent efforts," Malaga said.

"Malaga Club de Futbol is obliged to take this step for the good of the club and hopes Malaguista fans and members understand and support this new effort, the sole objective of which is to create an acceptable and competitive structure with which to give back Malaga Club de Futbol its lost hope."

The statement was unclear on how many players are likely to be released.

Malaga, who were Champions League quarter-finalists seven years ago, finished 14th in the Segunda Division last season.

The club has endured financial problems in recent years and, in February, president Abdullah bin Nasser Al Thani was removed from office for a six-month period, with a judicial administrator placed in charge.

Victor claimed he had been blackmailed over the clip before it was published.

In a statement posted to his official Twitter account, the 43-year-old said: "I am being subjected to a crime against my privacy with harassment and extortion.

"The matter is in the hands of the police and I entrust myself to follow their instructions.

"Sharing or disseminating an intimate content of any person without consent is also a crime either through social networks or messages or in any other way. Thank you for your understanding and support."

The club consequently decided to suspend Victor until an investigation has been carried out.

A statement from Malaga read: "In relation to the events that have recently been discovered, and which have not as yet been verified, Malaga CF immediately suspends coach Victor Sanchez del Amo from his duties until a full investigation is carried out.

"We will disclose further information once the facts have been clarified."

Malaga are 16th in Spain's Segunda Division, just a point above the relegation zone.

Although his top-flight career failed to stay airborne for long, it certainly got off to a flying start when he became the division's youngest goalscorer for Everton against Crystal Palace.

His achievement stands 15 years on but, as you can see below, that's not even close to being the longest such record across the top five leagues in Europe.

Here are the youngest goalscorers ever seen in the Bundesliga, LaLiga, Ligue 1, the Premier League and Serie A. Enjoy your trip down memory lane...

BUNDESLIGA: NURI SAHIN (17y, 82d)

Date: 26/11/2005

Match: Nurnberg 1-2 Borussia Dortmund

Sahin became the youngest player in Bundesliga history when he made his debut in August 2005 at 16 years and 334 days old. Just three months later, he was in the record books again, netting Dortmund's second goal in a 2-1 win at Nurnberg after David Odonkor had put them ahead.

What happened next? Sahin's early career at Dortmund was hugely promising, but things became more difficult once injuries took their toll amid unhappy spells at Real Madrid and Liverpool. He returned to Dortmund and the Bundesliga in 2014 and has been with Werder Bremen since 2018.

LALIGA: FABRICE OLINGA (16y, 98d)

Date: 18/08/2012

Match: Celta Vigo 0-1 Malaga

Olinga made LaLiga history when he (rather fortuitously) scored the only goal of the game in Malaga's 1-0 win at Celta. Rarely have there been more momentous goals scored off the thigh from five yards.

What happened next? Olinga left Malaga for Apollon Limassol in January 2014 but spent most of the next year on loan at Zulte Waregem and then Viitorul. After a dispute with Sampdoria, in which compatriot Samuel Eto'o took the club to court on Olinga's behalf over a player registration dispute, the Cameroon international signed for Mouscron.

LIGUE 1: RICHARD KRAWCZYK (16y, 3m, 15d)

Date: 08/09/1963

Match: Angers 1-2 Lens

Only 11th in the list of Ligue 1's youngest post-war players, Krawczyk leads the way in terms of youngest goalscorers after helping Lens to victory over Angers in September 1963.

What happened next? Part of a proud tradition of players of Polish descent at Lens, Krawczyk spent five years in the first team before playing for Metz, Reims and then returning to his old club in 1976 until 1979.

PREMIER LEAGUE: JAMES VAUGHAN (16y, 270d)

Date: 10/04/2005

Match: Everton 4-0 Crystal Palace

Vaughan broke the record held by James Milner when he struck in the 87th minute against Palace, after Mikel Arteta and a Tim Cahill double had put Everton in control.

What happened next? 'Nomadic' is an apt description of Vaughan's career. Apart from Everton - whom he officially left in 2011 - the striker has played for 12 different clubs, most recently joining League One strugglers Tranmere Rovers on loan from Bradford City in January.

SERIE A: AMEDEO AMADEI (15y, 287d)

Date: 09/05/1937

Match: Lucchese 5-1 Roma

The fact Amadei's record stands 83 years on shows what an admirable feat it was (even if it's a game Roma fans would soon forget). He also remains the joint-youngest player to appear in Serie A, the other being Pietro Pellegri.

What happened next? Amadei scored 111 goals in 234 games for Roma and is recognised as a true club great. His time with Atalanta, Inter and Napoli, whom he twice coached in the 1950s and early 1960s, saw him inducted into Italian football's hall of fame in 2018 five years after his death at the age of 92.