Juventus president Andrea Agnelli has warned that the coronavirus pandemic represents "the biggest challenge football has ever faced".
Football is currently suspended across most of the globe amid the Covid-19 outbreak which has resulted in more than 25,000 deaths.
More than 9,000 of those have been in Italy, the country worst affected by coronavirus, and targets of a return to football action by May 3 were this week dismissed by Italian Football Federation president Gabriele Gravina and Vincenzo Spadafora, Italy's minister for sport.
And Agnelli, the chairman of the European Club Association (ECA), has warned football clubs they face a threat to their existence.
In a letter to the ECA, which was reported by Reuters, Agnelli warned that clubs have great obstacles to overcome as the suspension continues.
“We are all football executives responsible for the well-being and sustainability of the clubs we manage, which are faced with a real existential threat,” said the 44-year-old, who is in isolation after Juventus players Daniele Rugani, Blaise Matuidi and Paulo Dybala contracted coronavirus.
He added: “As football is now at a standstill, so are our revenue flows on which we are dependent to pay our players, staff and other operating costs.
“No one is immune and timing is of the essence. Meeting our concerns will be the biggest challenge our game and industry has ever faced.
"[The ECA is reviewing ways to] resume playing football at domestic and European levels [and ways] to help manage club financials in this time of social and economic crisis.
“Discussions are very active as to what the approach to the UEFA licensing and FFP framework should be in light of the current crisis."
Major leagues across Europe are currently suspended, with the Premier League not expected to resume until June.
The Euro 2020 finals have also been postponed for a year, while the Tokyo Olympics have also been put back to 2021.
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