English Premier League players failed to reach an agreement with clubs to take 30 percent pay cuts during the coronavirus pandemic, escalating a bitter public row as their union claimed the government would lose out on more than 200 million pounds in tax.
The Professional Footballers’ Association said in a statement this would be detrimental to the National Health Service and other government-funded services.
Taking on the Premier League as a whole, the Professional Footballers’ Association said the 20 million pounds being given to the National Health Service by the world’s richest soccer competition was welcome, but they believe it could be far bigger.
The union’s strident stance came after further talks involving clubs and the league as Liverpool became the latest Premier League side defying political anger by using a government bailout scheme to furlough some non-playing staff.
The government said it was “concerned” by the standoff between players and their clubs.
[Source: Associated Press]
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