With Leeds United quickly leading the way during the Coronavirus pandemic and announcing that players, staff and senior management would all be taking deferred wage cuts to enable the club to continue paying non-playing staff their full whack – not all have taken our lead and the likes of Tottenham, Liverpool and others, have slammed the taxpayer to save their own pennies and decided to furlough instead.
Liverpool have walked back their own decision to furlough after significant criticism, but we are still waiting for an announcement on first team wages given the PFA’s and Premier League’s illogical arguments.
Should Clubs Be Fined & Punished For Furloughing Staff?
Yes
No
Speaking to Football Insider recently, former striker Noel Whelan slammed those in the Premier League for their recent decisions, calling them a ‘disgrace’.
“Leeds United do things the right way and look after their staff. They are a massive part of the club. They are there throughout the whole season, whatever time it may be doing all the stuff behind the scenes. Credit to Leeds that they are sticking by their staff no matter what happens within the club. It is a shame that other teams cannot do that, teams that probably have more money than Leeds. It is a disgrace on their part.”
Few can argue that we aren’t in unprecedented times here and you would fully expect clubs in League One and Two to use the furlough scheme, and with falling revenues and no matchday, possibly not be able to make up the extra 20% of non-playing staff wages, but it seems completely illogical that at PL and Championship level, that clubs should need to furlough and then furlough without making up the 20% difference themselves.
I think Whelan has got this one spot on myself, it is an absolute disgrace, especially whilst players, managers and executives continue to be on full whack themselves.
Unsurprisingly, some in football have shamed themselves again.
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