The last word...

NORTHERN clubs are cashing in on the Government’s furlough scheme – while spending tens of millions on transfer fees.

HMRC’s most up-to-date figures show Newcastle and Leeds banked between £100,000 and £250,000 in furlough cash in December alone.

Newcastle forked out £35million for transfers in the summer, and Leeds £95m. They justify using furlough to protect jobs.

Critics might argue that gorging on public money while affording huge fees is an unjustifiable position to be in.