A Polish health official prepares to check the temperature of people arriving on foot to cross the Polish-German border from the eastern German town of Frankfurt (Oder) to Slubice due to the new coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic on March 30, 2020. (ODD ANDERSEN / AFP)

BERLIN - The ingenuity of German football clubs seems to know no bounds when it comes to drumming up money during the difficult financial times of the coronavirus crisis.

Fans can now buy virtual stadium sausages, other culinary delicacies, beer, and tickets for virtual games.

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak and the subsequent postponement of regular competition, several, mainly lower league clubs have been hit by financial difficulties.

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Fans can now buy virtual stadium sausages, other culinary delicacies, beer, and tickets for virtual games

Having lost their regular income from ticket sales, several clubs have thought up inventive ideas to encourage fans to support them financially.

As in most European countries, sports competitions of all kinds have come to a complete halt in Germany.

While most clubs in the first and second Bundesligas can cover their costs by using reserve funds and cutting wages, lower league outfits depend more on catering and ticket sales.

Fourth tier Rot-Weiss Essen meanwhile, claims to have earned over 100,000 euros selling VIP tickets (100 euros), stadium sausages (2.5 euros), beer (4 euros) and basic tickets (10-25 euros).

The 1953 German Cup and the 1995 league champions have initiated a so-called "unkaputtbar bar" (indestructible pub).

Fans can purchase items for which they receive vouchers without a time limit or they can donate the amount directly. Nearly 3,000 sausages have been sold already.

Some clubs have started ticket sales for virtual games. Fourth-tier Alemannia Aachen and Fortuna Cologne have, for instance, sold a "golden ticket" while Locomotive Leipzig has handed out tickets for a game against an "invisible opponent."

Energie Cottbus invented tickets for a game called "Antikorper" (antibodies).

Third-tier Hansa Rostock started a challenge trying to sell-out all the merchandize in the club's fan shop. It is modelled on the panic buying that has surrounded toilet paper, pasta and hygiene products currently going on in supermarkets and grocery stores across Europe.

The Bundesliga's Union Berlin has set up a virtual food truck selling food, drinks and goulash made in a cauldron - all the things on offer at the snack bars on match days.

2012 German league champions Borussia Dortmund has started an initiative to support local pubs in which fans normally gather before and after watching the club's games.

A virtual match-day has been set up, and fans can visit their favorite pub online and order any of their favorite dishes. For all pubs, an accompanying entertainment program has been made available.

Several clubs have set up food supply chains for both the needy and elderly people. The latter can ask the club staff and fan groups to take care of their daily shopping and necessary visits to local authorities.

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Players, coaches, and officials at the majority of first and second division clubs have announced that they have voluntarily accepted wage cuts of up to 20 percent to support off-pitch staff.

In a video message sent to everybody working at Bayern Munich, coach Hansi Flick, and the designated chairman Oliver Kahn, both assured regular staff members that will continue to be paid.

Leading clubs like Bayern, Dortmund, RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen have donated 20 million euros in aide of struggling sides.