Premier League clubs slammed as 'morally wrong' for refusing

Premier League clubs slammed as 'morally wrong' for refusing to cut wages


Premier League sides have been blasted for appearing to take advantage of the government's job retention scheme

Ian Mitchelmore


Thursday 2nd April 2020


The Government have been urged to tax Premier League clubs who appear to be taking advantage of the coronavirus job retention scheme rather than cutting lucrative player wages.

The Premier League and EFL have been postponed for a number of weeks already as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak.

Play is currently scheduled to resume of the weekend of April 30, although that date looks set to be pushed back even further in the coming days.

Top-flight clubs including Tottenham and Newcastle have since put staff on furlough, with wages of their non-playing staff being cut due to the pandemic.

It has led to fans calling for players to have their wages slashed in a bid to ease the situation for non-playing staff.

And Julian Knight, chair of the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, has written to Chancellor Rishi Sunak calling on a windfall tax to be applied to clubs who appear to be trying to cut costs by using the recently formed government scheme to their advantage.

"I am writing to express my strong dismay at the decision of certain Premier League clubs to furlough non-playing staff while continuing to pay players," he wrote in a letter.

"This two-tier system is morally wrong, especially given the extremely high wages paid to players.

"Non-playing staff keep Premier League clubs in business, ensuring the smooth running of finances, administration, kit, stadiums and player welfare.

"It is deeply unfair that these staff should take less money while players retain their full salary.

“The purpose of the coronavirus job retention scheme is not to support the economics of Premier League clubs.

“Your organisation should be role modelling a responsible approach rather than tolerating divisive practices.

“European clubs, including Bayern Munich, Juventus and Barcelona, have shown that it is possible to reach an agreement with players whereby they agree to take pay reductions for a set period.

“I would like to request that the Premier League seek to broker an agreement between member clubs to change their approach."

The Premier League, EFL and Professional Footballers' Association are continuing to hold talks regarding a potential universal pay cut.

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Swansea City have asked most of their non-playing staff to be placed on furlough due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Steve Cooper's men have not taken to the field since they drew 0-0 with promotion hopefuls West Brom at the Liberty Stadium on March 7.

They are not due to return to action until the weekend of April 30 at the earliest, although that date is expected to be pushed back as a result of the pandemic.

Players, coaches and staff have been working home for several weeks in line with government advice in a bid to reduce the spread of the virus.

And it's understood that the vast majority of the club's non-playing staff have received a letter from chairman Trevor Birch regarding the Covid-19 crisis.

Swansea will utilise the scheme to protect jobs in a move that allows up to 80% of wages to be paid by the government, with the club vowing to pay the remaining 20% for the "immediate future".

Some sections of the club's staff - such as those in senior management - will continue to work as normal.