Football clubs claiming furlough
Discussion
If there is already a specific thread for this the search did not find it.
The country has taken extraordinary steps to ensure companies and organisations retain their employees. Football clubs seem to be heading up the sector of those taking the piss.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52165826
Can anyone justify why any employer should be allowed to claim furlough payments from the state for some employees and yet pay others more than the prime ministers salarie of £150k.
The country has taken extraordinary steps to ensure companies and organisations retain their employees. Football clubs seem to be heading up the sector of those taking the piss.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52165826
Can anyone justify why any employer should be allowed to claim furlough payments from the state for some employees and yet pay others more than the prime ministers salarie of £150k.
The rugby clubs are doing it as well... Why shouldn't they?
I don't know anything much about the financial state of football clubs, but Exeter were the only top flight rugby club to make a profit last year, so they certainly need the help. If they go out of business, it's not just the 60-odd players per playing squad who lose their jobs, it's also the backroom staff, catering staff and everyone else.
Most of the Premiership clubs have announced 25% pay cuts for the high earners, so hopefully between that and the government support, they'll be able to keep afloat until next season. I, for one, won't be phoning up to request a refund on the remaining home games on my season ticket, and I very much doubt any other fans will either.
I don't know anything much about the financial state of football clubs, but Exeter were the only top flight rugby club to make a profit last year, so they certainly need the help. If they go out of business, it's not just the 60-odd players per playing squad who lose their jobs, it's also the backroom staff, catering staff and everyone else.
Most of the Premiership clubs have announced 25% pay cuts for the high earners, so hopefully between that and the government support, they'll be able to keep afloat until next season. I, for one, won't be phoning up to request a refund on the remaining home games on my season ticket, and I very much doubt any other fans will either.
Assuming players are paye surely asking them to take lower wages reduced the amount of money coming into the government through taxation and national insurance...
Lower paid staff are a different story and I dont see why they shouldn't be able to claim for them. The number of staff involved will be insignificant in the bigger picture.
Lower paid staff are a different story and I dont see why they shouldn't be able to claim for them. The number of staff involved will be insignificant in the bigger picture.
Nice to see they are all in it together, the PFA have imho behaved very badly by claiming that reducing players salaries will hit the NHS.
Considering the amount these players earn, the clubs furloughing non playing staff is hitting those least able to take the pain hard while leaving those that can take the pain without noticing very much if at all to carry on as normal.
Only one word applies in my book. SHAMEFUL.
Considering the amount these players earn, the clubs furloughing non playing staff is hitting those least able to take the pain hard while leaving those that can take the pain without noticing very much if at all to carry on as normal.
Only one word applies in my book. SHAMEFUL.
If these very rich footballers donated an amount of money voluntarily back to their clubs to pay the staff that have been furloughed, the money the Gvt is providing for furlough could then be diverted to the NHS or other needy causes.
That way they still pay their taxes so no loss of revenue for the Gvt, and I am sure most could survive on a bit less than they are currently earning for a few weeks or even months.
A win/win all round and a bit of badly needed goodwill for our over paid, under worked,wobbly legged, diving, cheating, referee mobbing superstars.
That way they still pay their taxes so no loss of revenue for the Gvt, and I am sure most could survive on a bit less than they are currently earning for a few weeks or even months.
A win/win all round and a bit of badly needed goodwill for our over paid, under worked,wobbly legged, diving, cheating, referee mobbing superstars.
Why single out footballers? Plenty of other people earn an absolute fortune in this country and those same footballers pay a vast amount in income tax.
Of course I know the answer by the way, they're an easy target. Man City players apparently average £3m/year so let's say £1m/year average throughout the league. 20 clubs, 22 players each, £440 million in wages each year. Even if they gave every single penny to the government that figure is a drop in the ocean. It represents about one day of spending on the NHS.
If people really had a problem with the amounts of money that premier league players earn they wouldn't subscribe to Sky TV or BT Sport.
Of course I know the answer by the way, they're an easy target. Man City players apparently average £3m/year so let's say £1m/year average throughout the league. 20 clubs, 22 players each, £440 million in wages each year. Even if they gave every single penny to the government that figure is a drop in the ocean. It represents about one day of spending on the NHS.
If people really had a problem with the amounts of money that premier league players earn they wouldn't subscribe to Sky TV or BT Sport.
I think the issue is more furloughing “normal” staff but leaving the high paid “stars” in their high wages. But like the CEO of a large company not taking a pay cut but everyone else being cut... as above it’s a bit of a PR disaster. For what it’s worth my wife’s company cut wages for ALL senior management and above ( to zero for most for the duration...) and they are the most morally corrupt company I’ve ever come across 
I think the precarious position of top flight football (and other sports?) clubs is underestimated - Yes huge revenues and big profits recorded by the top cubs, but that comes with huge costs that are now not being offset with any revenue.
Burnley recently announced profit of ~£5m for last year, down from ~£35m the year before... They've now said if the final 9/10 games of this season aren't played they've a £50m black hole. That's a relatively modest club so far as running costs, player wages etc.
Spurs are taking the brunt of the negative media being one of the first to announce cuts and some staff into furlough, they just announced last years profits of £69m, but their running costs are towards £30m per month all in and like others they haven't earned a meaningful dime for what 4 weeks now?
Sure the players and wider industry create an eye watering revenue, but they do actually CREATE it, it's not a given and when they stop the repercussions are the same as every other person/industry, it's just a higher relative number.
Burnley recently announced profit of ~£5m for last year, down from ~£35m the year before... They've now said if the final 9/10 games of this season aren't played they've a £50m black hole. That's a relatively modest club so far as running costs, player wages etc.
Spurs are taking the brunt of the negative media being one of the first to announce cuts and some staff into furlough, they just announced last years profits of £69m, but their running costs are towards £30m per month all in and like others they haven't earned a meaningful dime for what 4 weeks now?
Sure the players and wider industry create an eye watering revenue, but they do actually CREATE it, it's not a given and when they stop the repercussions are the same as every other person/industry, it's just a higher relative number.
Hopefully after all this a long hard look will be taken into how Sport professionals, Actor's etc, Etc (You know who i mean!) are grossly overpaid, We are relying on Key workers who put themselves at risk of death on minimum wage or slightly above, Yes, I am one of them, High risk as well due to heart disease, I keep working, I have old and vulnerable customers to look after. Cheers. ( I would love the government to introduce an NHS tax, Compulsery, I would happily chuck in £20 a month if the NHS gets what it needs and the nurses etc are paid well)
Edited by klunkT5 on Sunday 5th April 19:53
petemurphy said:
will lineker be taking a pay cut..
whilst the optics arent good i dont see how they are different to any other company. tbh i'm more annoyed that companies that are known to avoid taxes will get it
Whilst I don't agree with his media output and what the BBC pay their top presenters, maybe you should do your research on what Gary has and is doing during this.whilst the optics arent good i dont see how they are different to any other company. tbh i'm more annoyed that companies that are known to avoid taxes will get it
Back on topic, why single out Premier league footballers?
Bankers and traders in the city, are they doing their bit?
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