Futsal: What is it and why has the sport struggled in England?

In England, futsal is an amateur sport so players do not earn salaries for competing.

Across Europe, a futsal player’s earning potential varies greatly. In Spain and Portugal, clubs such as Barcelona, Sporting CP and Benfica are directly attached to their football counterparts and are able to pay lucrative salaries, with elite players thought to have had contracts upwards of £400,000 per year with Barcelona.

While not all clubs are professional, many other players in these leagues earn comfortable full-time salaries.

In England’s top flight, FA National Futsal Series Tier 1, only a couple of clubs have ever been professional – and for short periods. The current extent of financial support offered to players is through expenses.

Manchester Futsal Club covers costs such as travel, kit and overnight accommodation for its squad, but for the vast majority of players in England, futsal is a hobby and an expensive one.

Between kit, monthly subs and nationwide travel, players often look to commercial sponsorship for help covering the costs.