Cork City will stop paying its players and coaches the week after next.
The Rebels are the second Premier Division club to announce stark financial measures in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Sligo Rovers revealed on Thursday that they were temporarily suspending all pay until the league resumes, hopefully on June 19.
And at least two more Premier Division clubs are considering following them.
Today, Cork City chairman Declan Carey said: “These are extremely difficult and unprecedented times.
“The board has daily discussions on the latest financial position of the club and this decision was not an easy one.
“We are responsible to our shareholders to make these difficult decisions in the best interests of the overall future of the club.
“We hope things can return to some level of normality soon, however, we urge all our supporters to continue to help the club through this next period of uncertainty.”
A statement from Cork City’s board of management read: “We have to act in order to secure the long-term future of the club.
“Attempting to balance our duties as an employer with our responsibility to safeguard the club has been an extremely difficult proposition.
“The club has been working on a number of initiatives to generate revenue.
“While we are immensely grateful for the support we have received thus far, this comes nowhere near replacing the revenue generated from playing matches.”
The club statement continued: “The club has informed all players and a number of staff and coaches that they will be paid in full, as normal, next week.
“However, the club will not be in a position to continue paying their wages beyond that point.
“We believe this action, while regrettable, is the most prudent approach we can take to ensure the club will be in a position to offer employment once football resumes.”
