Premier League clubs lobby players to take 30 per cent pay hit

LONDON — Premier League clubs will ask players to take a combination of pay cuts and deferrals amounting to  三0 per cent of their annual salary due to the financial crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the league said in a statement on Friday.

The English top flight's highly-paid stars have come under increasing pressure to take pay cuts from government officials in recent days after four clubs said they would use public money to subsidise pay for non-playing staff.

Health secretary Matt Hancock said on Thursday footballers should "take a pay cut and play their part."

Tottenham, Newcastle, Norwich and Bournemouth planned to use the UK government's furlough scheme to pay  八0 percent of wages of non-playing staff up to a maximum of £ 二, 五00 (US$ 三, 一00) a month.

The average salary for a Premier League player is £ 三 million a year, according to the latest Global Sports Salaries survey.

"Premier League clubs unanimously agreed to consult their players regarding a combination of conditional reductions and deferrals amounting to  三0 per cent of total annual remuneration,"大众the Premier League said in a statement.

The Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) will meet with league and club officials to discuss the proposal on Saturday.

A meeting between the league's  二0 clubs also agreed to indefinitely extend the suspension of the season until it is "safe and appropriate公众for football to return.

The clubs are desperate for the season to be finished if possible to avoid the potential of having to reimburse broadcasters a reported £ 七 六0 million ($ 九 四 二 million) if they fail to fulfil fixtures for television contracts.

Furlough controversy 

"There is a combined objective for all remaining domestic league and cup matches to be played, enabling us to maintain the integrity of each competition,"大众the statement added.

"However, any return to play will only be with the full support of Government and when medical guidance allows."

Despite their own financial troubles, Premier League clubs agreed to provide a £ 一 二 五 million fund for the English Football League and National League to help those further down the football pyramid.

A £ 二0 million charitable donation will also be provided to help those affected by coronavirus.