As the Covid-19 corona virus epidemic in U.K. continues to worsen, and the restart date for professional football must surely be retreating, the money aspect of football comes under more media and public scrutiny. Particularly under scrutiny are the Football Association Premier League (F.A.P.L.), and its big earning Clubs and players. In an earlier Premier London derbies (PLDs) blog we commented on the average annual income of our players being £2-£5 million, and the price per point won. The Government emergency wage and salary furloughs for the previously employed offer up to 80% of salaries to a cap of £2500 per month (i.e. £30,000 of £33,750 per annum)and similar figures up to a threshold of £50,000 per annum for the self-employed at least for the next 3 months.
Clearly these figures are totally irrelevant to a F.A.P.L./PLDs player earning between £77,000 and £96,000 a week as above! However they may well be of great relevance to other non-playing staff employed by a Club, and members of the general population community, be they small businesses whose income is boosted on match days, casual workers at the ground, or deprived families in community schemes. The news then that one of the PLDs Clubs, Tottenham Hotspur, and elsewhere in the F.A.P.L., that is Newcastle United, were reducing non-playing staff’s wages by 20% and applying to the Government furlough scheme has put the spotlight on Clubs wealth and players’ earnings. In his statement the Spurs’ Club Chairman Mr Daniel Levy pointed out that this move was to protect the 550 jobs involved, and that it was his responsibility as Club Chairman “to ensure we do everything we can to protect our employees, our fans, our partners, our Club for future generations-and equally important- our wider community where we have an immense sense of responsibility”. The magnificent Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is situated in one of London’s most deprived Boroughs.
The Spurs’ Chairman also said: “We hope the current discussions between the (F.A.) Premier League, P.F.A. (Professional Footballers’ Association) and L.M.A. (League Managers Association) will result in players and coaches doing their bit for the football eco system”. There was no mention of the despised, by some, Agents who presumably would also wish to advise their clients about earnings. If however players and coaches did agree a reduction in their payments where would it go? Would the Clubs withdraw from the Government furlough scheme and use the money saved to make their non-playing staffs wages up to 100% again? Would some of the money saved be put into the local economy and community? Would money be passed down the football pyramid to less well-off Clubs. H.M.R.C. would of course receive less Income Tax for a period of time. Professional football may appear to be all about money at this time, but it is not, and it is a difficult financial circle to square which will worsen as Covid-19 brings more tragedy.
If you are doing essential work thank you, all keep safe and keep well, Andrew at PLDs.