Sunderland have confirmed that their entire first team have been furloughed along with academy players and backroom staff as football feels the financial impact of coronavirus.
The League One club - the subject of Netflix's 'Sunderland 'Til I Die' series - announced on Tuesday that along with backroom staff, every first-team player will also be placed on the government's job retention scheme to cover 80 per cent of employees' wages, up to a maximum of £2,500 a month.
With the 2019/20 football season suspended indefinitely due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Football Association chairman Greg Clarke has warned that the English game faces "losing clubs and leagues as finances collapse."
A bitter dispute over footballers' wages has become front-page news, with Premier League players - backed by the FA - refusing to take the League's recommended 30 per cent wage cut/deferral.
Liverpool backtracked on their decision to furlough non-laying staff after a public outcry, with the club swiftly walking back on that decision and offering an apology for taking that route in the first place.
Tottenham, Norwich City and Newcastle United have furloughed non-playing staff, while the situation is even more precarious in the EFL.
On Tuesday, Sunderland became the second League One club after Portsmouth to utilise the utilise the government's furlough scheme.
Sunderland added there was "no intention to ask any players or staff to take a wage reduction or deferral on their salary" and that all employees will be paid in full.
A statement on the club's official website read: "Sunderland AFC can today confirm that its first-team players, contracted academy players and backroom staff have recently been placed on furlough leave due to the ongoing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
"A small number of staff, including manager Phil Parkinson, continue to work from home, and the club's priority remains the health and wellbeing of its players, staff, supporters and local community during this unprecedented period."
Additional reporting by PA.
