PFA call for urgent talks on finances

THE Professional Footballers’ Association has called for urgent talks with the Premier League and the EFL over the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic on players and clubs.

The loss of matchday revenue due to the suspension of English professional football has hit clubs hard, particularly in the EFL, and raised the prospect of clubs asking players to accept wage deferrals.

It was reported that Birmingham had become the first Championship team to do so, and that they were seeking approval from players earning more than £6,000 a week to take a temporary 50 per cent cut. The PFA has now urged all sides to talk in a bid to tackle the unprecedented crisis.

“As with other industries, the current COVID-19 crisis is having a severe impact on the finances of the game,” a PFA statement read.

“Several clubs have already approached players with a view to imposing pay deferrals.

“In order to deal with this situation, we have called for an urgent meeting with both the Premier League and the EFL to discuss how we might proceed going forward.”

Meanwhile, a number of Premier League clubs have announced plans to support frontline NHS workers battling the coronavirus pandemic.

Brighton have started an initiative for clubs in the Premier League, English Football League, Scotland and Northern Ireland to donate 1,000 tickets for future matches to frontline NHS staff.

Seagulls chief executive and deputy chairman Paul Barber proposed a club-to-club baton system and nominated Bournemouth, who said they would match Brighton’s pledge.

Barber said: “We are working on a range of things across all areas of the community and I hope this will just be the start.”

Bournemouth chairman Jeff Mostyn said: “We are delighted to match Brighton’s gesture and we will pass the baton to another club with the aim of reaching a significant target so football as a whole can show its appreciation.”

Watford have offered the use of their Vicarage Road stadium to the nearby Watford General Hospital for a range of NHS purposes.