Gary Neville believes the coronavirus pandemic will have catastrophic ramifications for those players in the English Football League whose contracts are due to expire in the summer.
The Manchester United legend believes the problem is that serious it could result in many players struggling to find new clubs next season and effectively be unemployed.
Speaking on the Sky Sports News’ Football Show, Neville said: “There is a serious problem brewing in the next few months.
“Over 1,000 players in the Championship, League One and League Two are out of contract at the end of June and clubs haven’t got the money to recycle them back into the game.
“It’s going to be a shock for the whole of football but it will be the players at the lower end of the game who will suffer the most.”
The EFL and the Professional Footballers’ Association announced on Tuesday a proposal that League One and League Two clubs defer up to 25 per cent of player wages in April, with players earning less than £2500 a month still being paid in full.
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Championship clubs are expected to make individual decisions on wage deferrals in due course.
“In the next few months there will have to be player cost reductions. It is an absolute given,” Neville remarked.
“What the EFL announced yesterday was the right approach.”
