Premier League clubs are living in a “moral vacuum” and players should be first to sacrifice salaries during the coronavirus pandemic, say politicians.
Julian Knight, the chair of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee, has condemned the actions of some Premier League clubs, who have furloughed non-playing staff.
Tottenham, Newcastle, Bournemouth and Norwich have opted to utilise the government’s job retention scheme.
“It sticks in the throat,” said Knight.
“This exposes the crazy economics in English football and the moral vacuum at its centre.”
- Spurs chairman Levy issues warning as non-playing staff take pay cut
- Newcastle put non-playing staff on leave
- Norwich begin to furlough staff
On Wednesday, Bournemouth announced that “a number of staff” would be furloughed, while the club’s chief executive Neill Blake, first-team technical director Richard Hughes, manager Eddie Howe and assistant manager Jason Tindall have taken “significant, voluntary pay cuts”.
The Professional Footballers’ Association has written to all of its members urging them not to agree any reduction or deferral in wages until they have spoken to the union.
In a letter seen by BBC Sport, the PFA says: “The PFA requested to see each club’s financial situation before we offer advice to players on whether to accept the terms offered.
“Before accepting or signing any paperwork from your club, it is vitally important that squads collectively discuss proposals with the PFA.”
In a joint statement the Premier League, EFL, PFA and League Managers’ Association said they had a “constructive meeting” on Wednesday “regarding the challenges facing the game”.
“The meeting reiterated that the overriding priority is the health and well-being of the nation – including that of players, coaches, managers, club staff and supporters – and everyone agreed football must only return when it is safe and appropriate to do so,” the statement said.
“No decisions were taken with discussions set to continue in the next 48 hours with a focus on several high-profile matters, including player wages and the resumption of the 2019-20 season.”
Highly paid footballers should carry the burden – Khan
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan told BBC Radio 5 Live top-flight players should be the ones to “carry the burden”.
“My view is always that those who are the least well-off should get the most help,” he said.
“Highly paid football players are people who can carry the greatest burden and they should be the first ones to, with respect, sacrifice their salary, rather than the person selling the programme or the person who does catering or the person who probably doesn’t get anywhere near the salary some of the Premier League footballers get.
“It should be those with the broadest shoulders who go first because they can carry the greatest burden and have probably got savings, rather than those who work in catering or hospitality who have probably got no savings and live week by week and who probably won’t get the [government] benefits for five weeks.”