FACTBOX-Soccer-Major decisions taken by Premier League clubs during COVID-19 crisis
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- United Kingdom
Following is a list of decisions taken by English Premier League clubs since the COVID-19 pandemic suspended the season in March.
Some clubs used the government's Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme where employers can claim 80% of furloughed employees' monthly wage costs, up to 2,500 pounds ($3,102) per month. All 20 teams are set to discuss plans for a potential restart in June via a conference call on May 1.
ARSENAL * Players and coaching staff have agreed a 12.5% salary cut which came into effect in April with "agreed amounts" set to be repaid if specific targets linked to success on the pitch were met in the seasons ahead.
* Will continue paying employees and casual workers full salaries until the end of May. * Reopened London Colney training facility to first-team players for individual sessions on April 27 but continued to observe social distancing protocols.
ASTON VILLA * Players, first-team coaches, and senior management have agreed to defer 25% of wages for four months, after which a review will take place.
* Villa Park repurposed to become a clinic providing maternity care to support an NHS hospital trust.
BOURNEMOUTH
* The club's chief executive Neill Blake, first-team technical director Richard Hughes, manager Eddie Howe and his assistant Jason Tindall have taken voluntary pay cuts. * Staff was furloughed for at least three weeks but the club reversed their decision on April 14 after Premier League clubs were criticized for applying to the government scheme.
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION * Senior management took voluntary three-month pay cuts to help protect staff jobs.
* Will pay matchday staff until the end of the season. * Amex Stadium converted into a drive-through COVID-19 testing center to assist the NHS.
* Opened training ground for individual training sessions on April 27.
BURNLEY
* Chairman Mike Garlick said the club could run out of money by August if the season does not resume by then. * Club did not furlough staff but will reconsider their position if the season does not resume by July.
CHELSEA * The First team did not take a pay cut or deferrals but the club urged them to continue supporting charitable causes.
* Full-time staff continue to be paid 100% of their wages. * Millennium Hotel at Stamford Bridge stadium made available to the NHS for two months, with club owner Roman Abramovich covering the costs of providing accommodation.
CRYSTAL PALACE * Chairman Steve Parish said all employees would receive full pay during the pandemic and they would not be placed on sick pay for issues related to COVID-19.
LIVERPOOL * Furloughed some of their non-playing staff but reversed the decision and apologized after it drew sharp criticism from the British government and supporters.
* Expansion of their Anfield Road stand has been postponed by a year due to delays caused by lockdown measures.
MANCHESTER CITY
* Confirmed they would not make use of the government's Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. * Committed to paying casual matchday staff for the rest of the season.
MANCHESTER UNITED * Informed staff that they would be paid in full during the pandemic and confirmed the club would not make use of the furlough scheme.
NEWCASTLE UNITED * Non-playing staff on temporary leave but they will be paid their full salaries until the end of April.
NORWICH CITY * Furloughed staff unable to work but will receive a usual salary in full with club topping up money received from the government scheme.
SHEFFIELD UNITED * Players agreed to defer part of their salaries and bonuses until the end of the year.
* Manager Chris Wilder, his senior coaching staff and CEO Stephen Bettis, agreed to defer part of their pay and bonuses for six months. SOUTHAMPTON
* First Premier League club to announce that their players and coaching staff will defer part of their salaries. * Confirmed they would not be using the government's job retention scheme.
* Staff not already deferring part of their salaries will receive full pay until at least June 30.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
* Imposed a 20% pay cut on 550 non-playing staff in April and May and planned to use the government's furlough scheme where appropriate. * Reversed their decision to furlough staff on April 13 amid criticism from supporters spearheaded by the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust (THST).
* Installed medical equipment in their new stadium to operate drive-through COVID-19 testing and swabbing for NHS staff and their families. * Made a limited number of pitches available for the first-team squad to use for individual sessions on April 28.
WATFORD * Players agreed on a wage deferral but details of the deal are private.
* Club has opened doors to the Watford General Hospital and are offering beds, food, and training areas to support NHS staff.
WEST HAM UNITED
* Second Premier League club to announce wage deferrals for players. * Manager David Moyes, vice-chairman Karren Brady and CFO Andy Mollett to take a 30% pay cut.
* Joint-Chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold and fellow shareholders to inject 30 million pounds into the club to deal with the impact of the pandemic. * Some players allowed to train at Rush Green training ground on April 27 with British media reporting access was limited to one player at a time.
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS * Chairman Jeff Shi confirmed all staff would be paid while the club was closed due to the pandemic.
($1 = 0.8059 pounds)
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