UNITED WE STAND
Captains lead revolt over Premier League clubs’ demands for substantial pay cuts
PREMIER LEAGUE players are determined to stand strong in a revolt against club demands for wage cuts.
The League and clubs want players to agree to salary reductions or deferrals to help during the coronavirus crisis.
Players have been asked to sacrifice a maximum of 30 per cent of their wages for the next 12 months, with the situation reviewed every four weeks.
But a Premier League captains’ WhatsApp group has been set up and all 20 are being urged to
stand strong together and spurn the plans.
The players are totally committed and willing to making big financial sacrifices – but are determined that their money goes to charities and not to wealthy club owners.
More talks with club and league representatives will take place today but no agreement is in sight – with players wanting to make a donation to the NHS on their terms as well as calling on other millionaire sports stars to join the fundraising efforts. They also believe they have been made scapegoats by the
Government and footballing authorities.
Star names have been angered by remarks made by Health Secretary Matt Hancock, right, for them to “do their bit”.
The 20 captains were told that clubs will face losing up to £1billion in revenue from TV, sponsorship deals and matchday income if the season is not finished.
A proposed 30 per cent wage cut would save clubs almost £580m, but players are refusing to agree to the proposals until they see a clear plan outlining where their wages will go. They would prefer to make a combined donation straight to the NHS and various charities of their choice – a process which has already started.
Players are determined to dig deep to help but have made it clear this will have to be on their terms.
Clubs like Liverpool, Tottenham and Newcastle deciding to take advantage of the Government’s furlough scheme has angered them.
The players feel let down by both their clubs and the PFA.
They want the Premier League to increase their donation to the
NHS from £20million to £50m – and to improve the offer of funding for EFL and National League clubs from £125m to £200m.
They also want the League to lobby the Government to get other wealthy sports people to make sacrifices of their own to aid the fight against COVID-19.
The pressure on all sides to reach an agreement today is close to breaking point – but a compromise looks a long way off, with the players determined to do the right thing – but on their own terms.