LEVY FORCED TO REVERSE PAY-DROP PROPOSAL

Neville: If clubs cut wages and later splash out millions on a new player, that’s not right..the Prem should give them a transfer BAN

GARY NEVILLE insists any Premier League club that cuts wages or furloughs staff should face a transfer embargo.

Tottenham have followed Liverpool’s lead by reversing their decision to impose 20 per cent wage cuts and use the government’s Job Retention Scheme to help pay 550 staff.

But Newcastle have taken up the offer of government money to furlough staff – and Norwich, Bournemouth and Sheffield United have all been criticised for similar actions.

West Ham and Southampton have come to an agreement with their squads about wage deferrals, while Arsenal are in dispute with their players over a potential 12.5 per cent pay cut.

Sky Sports pundit and former Manchester United and England star Neville says clubs that save money by cutting salaries and furloughing staff should not then be allowed to splash out huge sums on new players.

Neville said: “These transfer discussions – Harry Kane (right) maybe being sold for £200million,

Jadon Sancho (below) bought for £100m, big-money signings – completely undermine the discussions they are having with players.

“If you are having a 30 per cent pay cut across the board, and talking about spending a billion on players, you may have to put a transfer embargo in place. It is very difficult

FROM BACK PAGE views known, forcing Levy into a U-turn following talks with Tottenham’s billionaire owner Joe Lewis (left).

Staff will now be paid in full throughout April and May and, while there will be furloughs, wages will be at 100 per cent and come entirely from Spurs for players to see a transfer for £200m a few weeks later.

“It doesn’t feel right. There is no smoke without fire, and I’d suggest the Premier League stop this, and put a transfer embargo in place on all clubs that are trying to reduce their wages. Players are having the wool pulled over their eyes by clubs.” Premier League chief Richard Masters says clubs should be entitled to use the furlough system and warned the top flight could be out of pocket by £1billion due to the coronavirus crisis.

And FA chairman Greg Clarke claims teams and leagues could be in danger of going to the wall. More clubs are expected to follow the path of wage deferrals. Manchester United and City have publicly stated they will not place non-playing staff on furlough, while Liverpool, like Spurs, made a U-turn on a decision to use Government cash to pay wages following a backlash. funds. Levy said: “The criticism the club has received over the last week has been felt more keenly because of our track record of good works and our huge sense of responsibility to care for those that rely on us, particularly locally.”

He and his fellow directors agreed pay cuts of up to 25 per cent and medical equipment has been installed at the ground to allow drive-through Covid-19 testing and swabbing for NHS staff, families and dependents.

Levy added: “We regret any concern caused during an anxious time and hope the work our supporters will see us doing in the coming weeks, as our stadium takes on a whole new purpose, will make them proud of their club.”

A club statement said it was “now not our intention to make use of the current Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme”.

The move comes days after Liverpool reversed a decision on furloughing non-playing staff.