Leeds United players and staff agree to wage deferral
Written by Simon Austin — March 26, 2020
LEEDS UNITED’S players, coaching staff and senior management have volunteered to take a wage deferral for the “foreseeable future” to ensure that all 272 full-time staff at the club can continue to be paid.
The club said that the coronavirus shutdown would cost it “several million pounds each month” because of “lack of fixtures, cancellation of events, impact on ancillary revenue and closure of the football financing market”.
The decision for players and staff to defer part of their salaries was taken following a “regular catch-up” between Chief Executive Angus Kinnear, Director of Football Victor Orta and several senior players.
Marcelo Bielsa's are currently top of the Championship with nine games left to play.
Orta said: “My players have demonstrated an incredible sense of unity and togetherness and I am proud of their actions. To Marcelo and his staff and all of the players, we thank them for putting our wider team first and taking care of family. Now we must focus on public health, and when the people are safe, finish what we started. Vamos carajo.”
Collectively, the Leeds United first-team squad said: "Leeds United is a family, this is the culture that has been created by everyone at the club, from the players and the board to the staff and the supporters in the stands.
“We face uncertain times and therefore it is important that we all work together to find a way that the club can push through this period and end the season in the way we all hope we can. In the meantime, let’s work as one to listen to the government advice and the health service and beat this virus."