More Premier League clubs are likely to take up the Government’s furlough scheme - but only after agreeing new pay deals with its players.
Top flight clubs are acutely aware of how bad the reaction has been to the likes of Tottenham and Newcastle putting non-playing staff on furlough while the backlash even prompted Liverpool to do a U-turn.
Clubs actually feel they are well within their rights to use the furlough scheme but clearly if multi-millionaire players are still getting a full salary while other staff are being financially disadvantaged then it is not a good look.
Tottenham have not followed the example of other clubs in topping up the wages of staff while it is understood Newcastle’s decision to use the furlough scheme went down particularly badly with their players.
Newcastle players believe it makes it look as if a wealthy football club with a rich owner is pleading poverty while there are plenty in the city in a far worse position.
But clubs are feeling the pinch and there is frustration at boardroom level towards the Professional Footballers’ Association who have been resisting cuts and deferrals despite even the biggest teams facing serious financial issues.
Tottenham are facing particularly acute financial issues because they have a new £1billion stadium to pay off with no gate receipts and a string of big events now cancelled. Don’t underestimate how hard Spurs are feeling the pinch.
Before the 30 per cent deferral agreement was reached by the clubs last Friday, one club wanted to cut wages by 50 per cent during the crisis and another suggested to its players they should take a 10 per cent drop in salary for the remainder of their contract.
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The Captain’s WhatsApp group has been a hugely influential forum in discussing potential pay deferrals and the new PlayersTogether charity foundation.
But it is obvious that despite the title it is not just captains as, reported in Mirror Sport last weekend, Kevin De Bruyne spoke up eloquently for Manchester City players on the Premier League conference call.
Interestingly, Jordan Henderson - who has played a key role in setting up the players’ charity - called England team mate Harry Kane to discuss the proposals but Hugo Lloris has taken part in the Premier League discussions. Ben Davies is their PFA rep.
Hector Bellerin is Arsenal’s PFA rep and took part in the Premier League conference call plus the captain’s chat while also talking to the club about potential deferrals.
It would seem most clubs will use the 30 per cent deferral plan - made up by a ten per cent drop for behind closed doors and an extra 20 per cent while no games are played - suggested by the Premier League.
The PFA’s long term fear remains cuts could be proposed if there is no sign of football returning in the next three months.
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Television executives are watching developments closely as there is £750m of broadcasting cash to be repaid if the season is voided.
Foreign broadcasters are already putting the squeeze on but it is hard to imagine BT or Sky demanding a full refund and they may reach a compromise surrounding showing extra games next season.
It has also been mooted that some broadcasters may want to pay less and a compromise may have to be reached if games are behind closed doors for the long term because having no fans will make games less attractive and enjoyable to watch.
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These are uncertain times in the broadcast industry but Premier League Productions - the league’s own TV channel for overseas rights holders - is earning praise for the way it is treating staff, including its string of big name pundits.
PLP managing director Nick Morgan is doing regular conference calls to rally the troops while the station - a huge operation with studios at Stockley Park - is also trying to give out extra work when fixtures return.
BT Sport is at loggerheads with some of its pundits but has now extended its credit to two months for subscribers or suggesting they pay it into an NHS charity.
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Global investment company Aser Ventures and US investment fund Corrum Capital Management have entered into an interesting strategic partnership.
Corrum will help Aser - whose chairman and founder is Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani - expand its sport portfolio while it has also become a partner in media company OTRO.
OTRO has launched as a production house and has signed up big names like Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr., David Beckham and Zinedine Zidane with shows being broadcast on Radrizzani’s Eleven Sports in some countries.
