December 22, 2024
Premier League clubs to consult players on 30% wage cut as resumption delayed
Premier League clubs will ask players to take a 30% pay cut in order to protect jobs as it was announced the season will not resume until “it is safe and appropriate to do so”.
All clubs have agreed to put the proposed “combination of conditional reductions and deferrals” to players.
The Premier League will advance £125m to the EFL and National League, and give £20m towards the NHS.
Clubs still intend on completing all league and cup fixtures.
The EFL, Women’s Super League and Women’s Championship have all suspended play without setting a target return date, meaning the entirety of English football is on hold indefinitely.
“Any return to play will only be with the full support of government and when medical guidance allows,” the Premier League said.
“It was acknowledged that the Premier League will not resume at the beginning of May – and that the 2019-20 season will only return when it is safe and appropriate to do so.”
Players had faced scrutiny, notably from health secretary Matt Hancock, to take a cut in wages and “play their part” in offering support during the coronavirus pandemic.
Some clubs had furloughed non-playing staff as a result of the shutdown of the sport.
Captains of the clubs – led by Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson – have held discussions over the creation of a charitable fund which would likely benefit the NHS.
After Friday’s meeting, the Premier League has proposed a cut in wages in order to “protect employment throughout the professional game”.
“This guidance will be kept under constant review as circumstances change,” the Premier League said. “The league will be in regular contact with the Professional Footballers’ Association and the union will join a meeting which will be held tomorrow (Saturday) between the league, players and club representatives.”
Crystal Palace winger Andros Townsend had spoken of his frustration with Hancock “deflecting blame on to footballers”, stating players were an “easy target” and often supported charities.
The Premier League said it was aware of “severe difficulties” throughout the football pyramid and with clubs unable to play fixtures, moved to help “immediately deal with the impact of falling cash flow” at EFL and National League clubs.
The league’s statement expressed “huge appreciation for the heroic efforts of NHS staff and all other key workers who are carrying out critical jobs in such difficult circumstances” with £20m immediately committed “to support the NHS, communities, families and vulnerable groups during the Covid-19 pandemic”.
Analysis – what now for football?
BBC Sport football reporter Simon Stone
England’s football bodies decided they had little option other than to extend the current suspension.
It means the FA Cup will be stuck at the quarter-final stage for a bit longer, promotion and relegation issues are unresolved and Liverpool nervously await the chance to complete their first league title triumph since 1990.
But while nothing seems to be happening, plenty of conversations are occurring and scenarios for concluding the historic 2019-20 season are being discussed.
Fundamentally though, these are the five options on the table:
1. Null and void the season
2. End the season now
3. Set a deadline for completion
4. Play behind closed doors
5. Wait to complete the season
