Man City will not furlough employees as Liverpool move sparks wave of criticism

Manchester City have announced they will not be furloughing employees at the tax payer’s expense.

On Saturday table-topping Liverpoolbecamethefifthpremier League club to announce a furlough of non-playing staff, accessing the Government’s coronavirus job retention scheme.

That means the public purse will cover 80 per cent of affected wages, though there has been considerable criticism among those who believe the safety net was not being used as intended. The Reds announced a £42 million pretax profit in February. Liverpool’s opponents in last year’s

Champions League final, Tottenham, have also utilised the furlough option, along with Newcastle, Norwich and Bournemouth. Celtic are among a number of Scottish clubs to also take the furlough option for their employees.

It is understood that City’s stance was discussed, taken and approved at board level last week, with staff informed before Liverpool’s position became public. A statement read: “We can confirm, following a decision by the chairman and board last week, that Manchester City will not be utilising the UK Government’s coronavirus job retention scheme (government funded furloughing).”

Liverpool, who are topping uptheremaining20percentof salaries, came under criticism from some former players on Saturday, including Jamie Carragher, and Stan Collymore.

Carragher, pictured, retweeted the club’s statement and wrote: “Jurgen Klopp showed compassion for all at the start of this pandemic, senior players heavily involved in @ premierleague players taking wage cuts. Then all that respect & goodwill is lost, poor this @LFC”

Collymore wrote: “I don’t know of any Liverpool fan of any standing that won’t be anything other than disgusted at the club for furloghing (sic) staff.”