All 550 non-playing staff and directors taking pay cut; Some non-playing staff furloughed "where appropriate"; Spurs tell SSN they will "continue to review this position"
Tuesday 7 April 2020 14:49, UK
Tottenham have come under increased pressure from fans to follow Liverpool in reversing their decision to use public money to pay employees during the coronavirus pandemic.
Liverpool chief executive Peter Moore admitted on Monday they had been wrong to come to the conclusion that they should apply for taxpayer funds to pay 80 per cent of the wages of some non-football staff and were "truly sorry".
The Premier League leaders were on the end of a backlash from fans and former players after announcing their initial plans, which would have seen about 200 staff pick up the bulk of their wages from the taxpayer.
The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust (THST) voiced anger at their club last week after 550 non-playing staff members, some of whom have been furloughed, have been forced into a 20 per cent wage cut yet the players' salaries remain untouched.
Chairman Daniel Levy is among those to have taken the salary cut but the Trust is urging the players and directors to make a further voluntary contribution "so that the most vulnerable do not bear too great a burden".
And after Liverpool reversed their decision to use the government's furlough scheme, the Trust wants Spurs to follow suit.
A brief statement on Twitter read: "We have been saying consistently @SpursOfficial - pause and rethink. We are now saying it clearly and in public - do not further damage the Club's reputation, listen to your fans."
Tottenham have told Sky Sports News they will "continue to review this position" as per Levy's statement last week.
Newcastle, Norwich and Bournemouth are the other Premier League clubs to announce plans to use the government's furlough scheme and they were joined by Rangers on Monday night.
The Ibrox first-team squad along with manager Steven Gerrard, his coaching staff and the club's executives have also agreed to accept wage deferrals for three months to ensure non-football staff receive their income in full.
Meanwhile, Manchester United will not be using the government's furloughing scheme to protect around 900 full-time members of staff.
In an email addressed to all those affected, chief executive Ed Woodward confirmed the club would instead continue to pay all employees as if they were working as usual.
