Fans of Manchester City have been reacting to a post on Twitter, which relays reports that Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has stopped paying his staff.
According to reports in the Mirror, Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has become the first Premier League club owner to stop paying his club’s staff, while Steve Bruce’s players and coaching team, who collectively earn around £100m, will remain on full pay.
In reaction to the reports, which were relayed by City Chief on Twitter, have flocked to share their opinion on the matter, with many claiming that Ashley’s actions are not surprising, while others have stated that City’s owners have shown the way that Premier League bosses should be acting in these uncertain times.
Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has become the first Premier League chief to stop paying staff.
Employees were told by email at 9am on Monday to sign up for the Government's Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme which gives workers 80% of their wages.
[Mirror] pic.twitter.com/hs7jCWoJ3R
— City Chief (@City_Chief) March 30, 2020
That isn’t exactly a shock
— ?The One Eyed Lycan? (@OneEyedLycan) March 30, 2020
— James Fuoco (@_JamesLouis_) March 30, 2020
People criticize Sheik and the incredible things he’s done for football but this owner is let of too easily, shameful act
— Ceepe (@Siphe_Sihle1) March 30, 2020
One fan even wondered if the ‘top 10’ would go crying, which relates to the top 10 reportedly joining forces to stop Man City featuring in the Champions League while their appeal for the two-year ban waits to be heard.
Blimey. Wonder if the top 10 are gonna go crying to anyone about this.
— JYKelly (@PottsMalc) March 30, 2020
— Christion Restrepo (@ChristionR9701) March 30, 2020
quelle surprise
— Andrew Craik (@sandemanCars) March 30, 2020
Wonder if he will do what many compsnirs are doing and topping up the 20% to make sure his low paid staff still get full wages!!! Thought not
— Antony Birds (@a_j_birds) March 30, 2020
What do we think?
According to the reports, Mike Ashley’s move will hardly make a dent in the club’s costs, with questions being asked as to why staff who make up a fraction of the club’s wage bill are the ones who have been hit first, while the first-team and coaching staff are still to be paid in full.
At other clubs, such as Leeds United, players and coaching staff, including Marcelo Bielsa, agreed to take a wage deferral so that non-playing staff could be paid.
However, the same does not appear to be happening at Newcastle, and while City have yet to make a decision on the matter, their midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has stated he would be open to taking a pay-cut so that non-playing staff can be paid.