Pay cuts to save Juve

JUVENTUS stars are poised to follow teammate Cristiano Ronaldo’s lead by taking huge pay cuts to help the Italian giants, who are losing thousands of euros a week.

Captain Giorgio Chiellini is leading discussions with senior players after Ronaldo gave up £3.4million of his £25m salary.

Gianluigi Buffon and Leonardo Bonucci also agreed to take cuts and now Chiellini is trying to persuade the rest of the first-team squad, among them former Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey, to do the same. Ronaldo has also donated €1m to hospitals in Portugal and paid for ventilators in his native Madeira.

Meanwhile, eight West Ham players are in self-isolation showing mild coronavirus symptoms, according to vice-chairman Karren Brady. She said: ‘I am relieved to say they seem to be well. But it is no more than a handshake, sneeze or cough away from any of us, so no one should be complacent.’

The NHS have accepted Manchester City’s offer to let doctors and nurses use the Etihad Stadium for planning and training.

No patients will be treated at the stadium but a temporary hospital is being established two miles away at the Manchester Central Convention Complex (GMEX).

City had contacted health bosses to make their executive boxes and meeting rooms available for NHS staff to gather and prepare for the ongoing crisis. In 2017, the Etihad became a safe place for families to gather after the Manchester Arena bombing.