PREMIER LEAGUE clubs using government money to furlough staff continue to face a huge backlash with some now suggesting they should be banned from the transfer window.
Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle, Norwich and Bournemouth have all announced plans to place non-playing staff on the job retention scheme, using taxpayers’ money to pay 80 per cent of employees’ salaries up to £2,5000-a-month.
Given the vast sums of money present in the top-flight, be it as transfer fees, players’ wages or TV rights contracts, many feel the help is not meant for them.
And talkSPORT host George Bingham has now voiced one popular plan for those teams to be thrown out of the coming transfer window.
The presenter told Monday’s show: “Let’s not mince our words on this, if a club goes to the government for a handout that us the taxpayer will be required to make up in the long run, no club should be allowed to do transfers going forward.
“If they’re so poor they can’t afford a million pounds on their wage bill to support their low-paid workers, which they should do by the way, they shouldn’t be allowed to have transfers.
“No transfer window for you, sorry, if you’re that poor: you don’t need it.”
Similar calls have been made to punish clubs not doing in the bit in the crisis via a ‘windfall tax’.
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The actions of somes clubs comes in direct contrast to a growing number of players making important contributions to those in need, such as Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson and his plans to create a fund to help players directly donate to the NHS.
Although Norwich and Bournemouth are both in a relegation battle, and the Cherries’ main non-playing earners such as Eddie Howe are taking a pay cut, there are growing concerns that football is giving itself a bad reputation in the coronavirus crisis.
Spurs and Liverpool, who contested last year’s Champions League final, are both incredibly wealthy clubs who made world-record profits when announcing they had respectively banked £113million and £125m in 2017/18.
In addition, Newcastle made £18.6m that year, the latest official accounts to be released, although owner Mike Ashley is already considered by Toons fans to be notoriously stingy when it comes to the market.
Therefore it is little surprise clubs including Manchester City and Leeds are making a stand by confirming they will not use the furlough scheme.
Neighbours Manchester United are reportedly ready to announce their own plans to snub the government’s help, with talk of a 30 per cent pay cut for high-earning players.
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And Bingham added that clubs must do more to protect their players amid the pressure they are under to commit to a financial sacrifice.
She stated: “Not a single football club in the country would go furlough if it meant they couldn’t do business if and when football resumes.
“And that is why football looks really bad this morning.
“Football looks bad for that and for, what I feel, is bullying players into rescuing football when football is a billionaire playboy industry owned by people who wouldn’t blink at a footballer’s wages and are doing nothing.”
Liverpool have faced major criticism despite saying they will top up the wages of those staff furloughedCredit: PA:Press Association
Tottenham are also taking advantage of the scheme, having spent £850m on a new stadiumCredit: PA:Press Association
Burnley warn they will go bust if football lockdown does not end with £50m of revenue and TV cash on line
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
