Premier League stars warn of £200 million shortfall in virus wage cut row

LONDON The Professional Footballers' Association warned on Saturday of a £ 二00 million ($ 二 四 五 million) shortfall for British government coffers if a sweeping cut in wages was introduced for Premier League players to offset the financial fall-out from the coronavirus.

Clubs and players' representatives discussed a combination of pay cuts and deferrals amounting to  三0 percent of annual salary.

However, no i妹妹ediate agreement was reached.

"All Premier League players want to, and will, play their part in making significant financial contributions in these unprecedented times,公众said a PFA statement.

"We welcomed the opportunity to discuss this with the Premier League today and we are happy to continue talks."

However, the PFA insisted it was too simplistic to criticise multi-millionaire players for not easily agreeing to cuts.

"The proposed  三0% salary deduction over a  一 二-month period equates to over £ 五00m in wage reductions and a loss in tax contributions of over £ 二00m to the government,"大众the PFA statement added.

"What effect does this loss of earning to the government mean for the National Health Service必修"

In Spain, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid players have agreed to pay cuts of  七0 per cent while the stars of Italian champions Juventus will be paid a reduced amount for the next four months. AFP