FIFA urges clubs and players to find compromise on coronavirus-crisis pay cuts

Issued on: 06/04/2020 - 17:47

FIFA has also recommended that players' contracts be extended until the end of the interrupted football seasons. © AFP file photo

Text by: NEWS WIRES

FIFA on Monday urged clubs and players to reach agreement on wage reductions to protect clubs suffering financial damage because of the coronavirus crisis, sources said.

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World football's governing body is also recommending that players' contracts be extended until the end of the interrupted football seasons and that the transfer window will not open until that time.

The call from FIFA comes as Premier League clubs are locked in talks with players and their representatives about taking pay cuts after government ministers called on players to "play their part".

FIFA is drawing up guidelines for clubs and associations, to deal with complaints and appeals over wage cuts for players.

This comes as many clubs asked players to reduce their wages, amid the suspension of all major football leagues due to the coronavirus outbreak pic.twitter.com/wyiH5AUxNf
— BFM News (@NewsBFM) April 6, 2020

Italian top-flight football clubs on Monday agreed to cut the salaries of players, coaches and staff. Clubs in other countries, including Barcelona, have also cut player wages.

The source said the health crisis had had "a major impact" on clubs' revenues and that, like other sectors of the economy, football had to find "fair and equitable solutions" to protect jobs.

Therefore FIFA "strongly encourages clubs and players to work together" to find agreements on a range of issues, including salaries.

Given that the European seasons are suspended and there is no fixed date to resume at the current time, the source said FIFA proposes that contracts should be extended "until such time that the season does actually end".

(AFP)