Sugar hits out at PFA Chief
Former Spurs chairman Sir Alan Sugar has criticised PFA Chief Executive Gordon Taylor amid the growing row over Premier League clubs furloughing staff.
Tottenham’s decision to furlough around 40% of their 550 non-playing staff and take advantage of the government’s relief scheme has been met with fierce criticism.
Chairman Daniel Levy has received the brunt of fan’s frustration, with the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters Trust calling on the club to rethink their position.
However, Sugar, who sold his stake in the club back in 2001, took to Twitter to call for more clarity on the details of how clubs are run.
“People need to understand most clubs run hand to mouth on income to pay players/staff.
“If the shutdown continues for months, some clubs could go bust.
“The likes of Burnley could face a financial crisis. Do not be fooled about the so-called rich clubs, they are not as rich as you think.
“Gordon Taylor is not helping by telling players clubs are owned by billionaires, and they should not take cuts.
“He needs to change his position.
“(If I was still in charge) I would stand up against Taylor and tell him to shut it. Then ask players to take a cut to help the hard working people at clubs.”
Tanganga faces contract wait
Tottenham full back Japhet Tanganga’s future at the club remains undecided, with his deal expiring at the end of the campaign.
The 21-year old has established himself as a fan favourite this season, starting six of the Spurs’ eight Premier League games under Jose Mourinho.
The versatile defender is now in contract limbo, with a one-year extension yet to be activated.
However, Football London understands the England U20 international will be offered a new long-term deal by the club, once the Covid 19 lock down ends.
Mourinho is a big fan of Tanganga and is reportedly keen to settle his future at the club as a matter of priority.
Levy considers hiring Spurs staff
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is rumoured to be considering a controversial plan to hire members of the club ground staff to work on his private estate.
According to a report from The Telegraph, Levy is looking at employing non furloughed club staff at his Hertfordshire home, in a bid to keep them in work during the Covid 19 outbreak.
Levy would pay the staff himself, not through their Tottenham salary, with the closure of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and the Enfield training complex significantly reducing working hours.
The 58-year old has come under fire following the decision to place around 40% of non-playing staff on furlough this week, with no wage top ups provided by the government’s job retention scheme.
Local rivals Arsenal and Chelsea have opted not to use the furlough scheme for staff at this stage, whilst Liverpool have reversed their decision to do so after a supporter backlash.
FA chief offers restart warning
FA chairman Greg Clarke has warned football fans the 2019-20 season may not be completed, due to the ongoing Covid 19 outbreak.
All Premier League and EFL football matches are currently suspended due to the pandemic, with no restart date in sight.
However, despite a consistent message of determination to finish the season, Clarke admitted public health remains the priority.
“No one knows how long the lock down will last, he commented in an official statement.
“Our government is rightly cautious as human life is at stake, and prudence is our only sensible option.
“We are committed to finishing the season, and resolving promotion and relegation, as well as title winners on merit.
“However, we may not be able to finish the season, as football is not the priority, and we will do as the government directs as the pandemic unfolds.”
