Sunderland place all players and backroom staff on furlough and make key wage pledge

League One fixtures have been postponed indefinitely due to the coronavirus outbreak and as of yet, it is not known when or if the current campaign will resume.

The club recently put a significant number of its non-playing staff on furlough leave, using the Government jobs retention scheme.

That sees the government cover the cost of 80% of wages up to £2,500 a month, and the club pledged to top of the rest.

In its announcement today, the club also said that it would ensure that ‘all employees are paid in full’.

Other League One clubs have taken similar action, with Portsmouth, Coventry City, Doncaster Rovers and others taking similar steps.

Sunderland have also said that they will not ak players to take a wage reduction on their salary ‘at this moment in time’.

The PFA is currently locked in talks with key stakeholders to try and establish the way forward during an immensely uncertain period, with many EFL clubs asking their players to defer.

Phil Parkinson will continue to work from home during the suspension of league fixtures.

The statement reads: “Sunderland AFC can today confirm that its first-team players, contracted academy players and backroom staff have recently been placed on furlough leave due to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Last week, the FA, the Premier League and the EFL announced they would be collectively postponing their competitions until such time that it is safe for them to resume.

“At this moment in time, SAFC has no intention to ask any players or staff to take a wage reduction or deferral on their salary, and the club remains fully committed to ensuring all employees are paid in full.

“A small number of staff, including manager Phil Parkinson, continue to work from home, and the club’s priority remains the health and wellbeing of its players, staff, supporters and local community during this unprecedented period.”

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