HELP AT HAND
Pressure mounting on clubs to use Job Retention Scheme
SPFL CLUBS are coming under increasing pressure to prevent scores of Scottish footballers becoming unemployed at the end of the month.
East Dunbartonshire MP Amy Callaghan last night confirmed that football clubs are entitled to use Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s Job Retention Scheme to extend the contracts of those players who are reaching the end of their current deals.
Sportsmail has learned that a number of Premiership chairmen have thus far proved resistant to requests from players and union PFA Scotland to provide short-term extensions.
One experienced Premiership player who is currently on furlough and out of contract on May 31 insists he has been blanked by his club after requesting clarity.
He said: ‘I contacted my club two weeks ago to ask if we could be put on furlough just for June. I’ve heard nothing back. I have spoken to players I trust at other clubs and they are in the same boat.
‘Clubs are choosing not to do it and I don’t
understand it. This is an easy fix. It’s a case of signing a piece of paper that allows your employees to continue earning money. It won’t cost the clubs anything and they will be under no obligation to offer (permanent) contracts at the end of it.’
Ms Callaghan has raised the matter with Scottish Sports Minister Joe FitzPatrick and also intends to write to the SPFL.
She said: ‘In the sporting industry and beyond, many of my constituents are concerned at a lack of certainty where employers are reluctant to renew contracts that are due to expire imminently.
‘While businesses are understandably concerned about their financial future, and this will be acutely felt by those working in football, extending contracts through the period of the furlough scheme would be a sensible option for all involved.’
Sportsmail’s anonymous player went on to outline his frustration at what he perceives as a lack of strength in the union’s approach during the coronavirus crisis.
He continued: ‘PFA Scotland have gone to clubs and given them the government’s information.
‘If you’re being proactive, tell people about it. It seems like they want to do everything behind the scenes, they don’t want to upset anyone and slowly drift along with the tide.
‘We don’t need that right now. As players we need decisions to be made.
‘I’m not saying they should scream and shout but they need to go in with a forceful opinion.
‘This has got under my skin because it’s as if clubs are actively choosing not to do this.
‘If they don’t furlough us we have no chance of getting a club. Best-case scenario, you are going to create a three or four-month period where players will be without a wage.
‘I’m fortunate not to be in such a position but I have younger team-mates and all they know is football. Where do they go from here? These guys could be lost to the game at 22, 23 having not had a chance to accumulate anything as a fallback.
‘Even if it’s just to buy some time, is there not a moral obligation on the clubs here?’
Fraser Wishart, chief executive of PFA Scotland, insisted his body were pushing hard on the matter.
He said: ‘We are quite lucky in that we have an accredited employment law specialist and she is all over this issue.
‘It’s really down to the clubs. There is no obligation on them. But we hope we can persuade them.’