The Premier League confirmed last week that its clubs agreed to consult with their players about a 30% wage cut as the crisis continues in England.
Players should donate part of their salary
Dr. Erkut Sogun, the agent of Mesut Özil, called on Premier League players to reject the 30 percent cut in wages currently under discussion in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, saying that he is instead advocating for wage deferrals. The Premier League confirmed last week that its clubs agreed to consult with their players about a 30% wage cut as the crisis continues in England. The proposal was controversial, as many, including Gary Neville, feel that players should donate part of their salary, and not accept a reduction in pay, which will lead to their clubs seeing an increase in their lower classes. Wayne Rooney also expressed his disagreement with the general decrease in salaries, saying that at present, this is not the best way to help.
Erkut Sogun: It’s not easy for everyone
“If the government turned to me for help in financially supporting nurses or buying fans, I would be proud to do so – as long as I knew where the money was going,” said the captain of the Derby County. Sogut agreed with Neville and Rooney that players should not take salary cuts now. Still, Agent of Ozil suggested that deferral of salaries instead would be the best solution given the current financial uncertainty in the Premier League. “It’s not easy for everyone, but it’s time for the clubs to talk directly with the players and their representatives to solve this problem,” Sogut said during the webinar of the Football Business Academy. And the only thing you can do is postpone. That’s the beginning, and they say: “let’s postpone these payments until the end of the year or next year.”
“That is, something players and clubs can quickly agree, so the clubs know that they will not have any financial problems and will continue for the next three months. Deferring is protection for everyone.” I would not recommend negotiating a reduction today because I don’t know tomorrow whether the league will play if the clubs get TV and sponsorship money.”