Bournemouth have become the latest Premier League club to reverse their decision to furlough members of their non-playing staff.
Liverpool and Tottenham have also reversed initial moves to make use of the government’s job retention scheme, which sees non-working staff paid 80 per cent of their salary.
In a statement, the Cherries said they were “aware of criticisms of Premier League clubs applying for this scheme” during the suspension to the football season caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
They added: “We have listened to our supporters and have reversed our decision to furlough these employees”.
Currently, Newcastle and Norwich are the only Premier League clubs continuing to place some members of their non-playing staff on furlough.
Bournemouth said they had made the decision despite the financial implications of the ongoing lockdown.
Give COVID-19 the red card
The quicker we work together to stop coronavirus spreading, the sooner we can get back into the pubs, the gyms and stadiums and arenas to see live sport again…
STAY AT HOME. Only leave for the following purposes:
- to shop for basic essentials – only when you really need to
- to do one form of exercise a day – such as a run, walk or cycle, alone or with other people you live with
- for any medical need – for example, to visit a pharmacy or deliver essential supplies to a vulnerable person
- to travel to and from work – but only where this is absolutely necessary
For more info and tips, visit the NHS website.
The government has also issued further detail on what we can do during lockdown.
Everyone should do what they can to stop coronavirus spreading.
The statement added: “We are rapidly coming to terms with the stark reality of what this virus means, both for the health of the global population and for business in all industries, who are being affected by its financial implications.
“Football is undoubtedly one of those industries. As things stand there is no return date for the 2019-20 season, meaning our revenue is depleted but our outgoings remain unaffected.”
Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe, chief executive Neill Blake, first-team technical director Richard Hughes and assistant Jason Tindall have already taken “significant, voluntary pay cuts” as the Cherries look to keep costs down.
