Premier League clubs furlough: Which clubs have put non-playing staff on furlough?

Premier League clubs have begun to place non-playing staff on furlough amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis. Top-flight fixtures have been suspended until further notice and there have been calls for players to take pay cuts to order to protect jobs.

The government’s furlough scheme covers 80 per cent of wages up to £2500 per month.

And Premier League leaders Liverpool are the latest club to use the scheme to put non-playing staff on temporary leave.

A statement from the Anfield club: “Even prior to the decision on staff furloughing, there was a collective commitment at senior levels of the club – on and off the pitch – with everyone working towards a solution that secures jobs for employees of the club during this unprecedented crisis.

“There is ongoing active engagement about the topic of salary deductions during the period matches are not being played to schedule. These discussions are complex and as a result the process is ongoing.”

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How many clubs have put staff on furlough?

In the Premier League, Liverpool became the fifth club to use the government’s job retention scheme, joining Newcastle, Tottenham, Bournemouth and Norwich.

The discussion around players’ salaries has become something of a hot topic, with the league proposing top-flight stars take a 30 per cent pay cut.

However, the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) says the proposal would harm the NHS.

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A PFA statement read: “All Premier League players want to, and will, play their part in making significant financial contributions in these unprecedented times.

“Going forward, we are working together to find a solution which will be continually reviewed in order to assess the circumstance of the COVID-19 crisis.

“The players are mindful that as PAYE employees, the combined tax on their salaries is a significant contribution to funding essential public services – which are especially critical at this time.

“Taking a 30 per cent salary deduction will cost the Exchequer substantial sums. This would be detrimental to our NHS and other government-funded services.

“The proposed 30 per cent salary deduction over a 12-month period equates to over £500m in wage reductions and a loss in tax contributions of over £200m to the government.

“What effect does this loss of earning to the government mean for the NHS? Was this considered in the Premier League proposal and did the Health Secretary, Matt Hancock factor this in when asking players to take a salary cut?”

Oliver Dowden, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, expressed concern about the way talks have progressed over player salaries.

He tweeted: “Concerned about the turn football talks have taken tonight. People do not want to see infighting in our national sport at a time of crisis.

“Football must play its part to show that the sport understands the pressures its lower paid staff, communities and fans face.”

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