By Press Association
The Professional Footballers’ Association is warning that Premier League players taking a 30% salary cut would lead to the UK government losing out on in excess of £200million (€227m) in tax revenues.
Yesterday, the League discussed its suggested wage deductions with all clubs, the PFA and League Managers Association via conference call.
Players have been coming under increasing pressure to take a drop in pay due to the Covid-19 crisis, an issue that has become a hot topic since top-flight clubs started placing some non-playing staff on the government’s furlough scheme.
UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock weighed into the debate during the government’s daily briefing on Thursday, telling Premier League players they should “take a pay cut and play their part”.
PFA Statement on behalf of Premier League players: https://t.co/LFR3Vmg972
— Professional Footballers' Association (@PFA) April 4, 2020
While the PFA insists its members want to make “significant financial contributions”, the players’ union warned the League’s suggested 30 per cent cut would be "detrimental" to the NHS:
“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% salary deduction will cost the Exchequer substantial sums. This would be detrimental to our NHS and other government-funded services."
Meanwhile, Jamie Carragher has hit out at his old club Liverpool for furloughing non-playing members of their staff.
The Premier League leaders announced yesterday that around 200 of their workers would be affected.
Carragher says that decision will see the club lose goodwill and respect that had been earned by the compassion of their manager Jurgen Klopp.
Jurgen Klopp showed compassion for all at the start of this pandemic, senior players heavily involved in @premierleague players taking wage cuts. Then all that respect & goodwill is lost, poor this @LFC https://t.co/9bE8Rw1veE
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) April 4, 2020
