UEFA have washed their hands... now SPFL must decide
PREMIER LEAGUE clubs could complete the season in a World Cup-style camp in one proposal to complete the current top-flight season.
Clubs remain committed to finding a way to finish their fixtures and avoid potential costs estimated to be around £750million if no further matches are played.
One option is for clubs to converge on a neutral location and effectively create a sterile bubble in which all remaining games are played behind closed doors, with only essential personnel and broadcasters allowed to attend.
It is udnerstood this is one of many ideas under consideration, with the 20 clubs due to convene again by conference call on Friday.
Meanwhile, Newcastle have placed members of their non-playing staff on furlough leave as they attempt to protect the club from the long-term effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
Employees were informed of the decision yesterday with those affected referred to the Government’s job retention scheme, under which furloughed staff are entitled to claim 80 per cent of their monthly wage up to £2,500.
Newcastle are yet to confirm the move, which is understood to affect all areas of the club’s operations other than the playing and coaching staff.
The Magpies are the first Premier League club to take such action with football facing a lengthy shutdown, although derby rivals Sunderland, who currently play in League One, adopted a similar approach to the crisis last week.
On the continent,
Barcelona’s players have accepted a 70 per cent pay cut and pledged donations to help the club’s non-sport staff continue to receive their full wages during the coronavirus pandemic.
Lionel Messi revealed the move in an Instagram post, insisting Barcelona’s players were always open to pay cuts, but had to take time to iron out the details.
“The time has come to announce that, apart from the reduction of 70 per cent of our salary during the state of alarm, we are going to make contributions as well so that club employees can collect 100 per cent of their salary for the duration of this situation,” Messi revealed on Instagram.
“If we did not speak until now, it was because the priority for us was to find solutions that were real.”