Liverpool have placed some of their non-playing staff on furlough after it was recently announced the Premier League would not restart in May. Those affected will receive 80% of their salaries through the government’s job retention scheme and the club will make up the rest (as per BBC Sport).
The move has been criticised by some of their former players including Jamie Carragher and Stan Collymore (via BBC) but the Reds are not the only ones to take this decision. Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, Norwich City and Bournemouth have already announced they will be doing the same but Manchester City have opted not to put staff on the scheme.
Here is what some of the fans have had to say regarding the club’s decision.
As a Liverpool Fan it sickens me tbh Henry, honestly thought this was the last thing the club would have done considering their financial status and the background of the majority of the fan base. Atleast @JHenderson is setting the right example! #LFC #furlough
— Olly Benbow (@bingbonggb) April 6, 2020
Totally agree… disgusted with the club. It is a poor poor decision by someone in charge who needs to backtrack immediately.
— LFC_4ever (@4ever_lfc) April 6, 2020
Been a fan for 30+ years. Whatever happens with this season from hereon in this is legacy of it, we found a loophole so we only had to pay 20% of wages to some staff. A dark, dark time in the history of @LFC
— JB (@JamesBottrill) April 6, 2020
As a season ticket holder. Very disappointed
— vinny thomas (@vinthewin) April 6, 2020
Are you disappointed by the club's decision to furlough some of their non-playing staff?
Yes
No
Couldn’t agree more @henrywinter, I’m a liverpool fan and I am ashamed that the club has come to this decision. Stands all against what this club is about.
— Jonathan Mclaughlin (@Jonatha29892424) April 6, 2020
I’m genuinely appalled and surprised at this. FSG had got pretty good at ‘reading the signs’ in terms of social responsibility etc. Fingers crossed they wise up quickly & change approach, which they have done on several occasions previously eg £70 tickets.
— Tom Goddard (@Tom_Goddard_13) April 6, 2020
What do we think?
It’s clear from the above responses that many of the Liverpool fans were disappointed to learn of their club’s decision given their current financial position. The Reds announced a pre-tax profit of £42m in 2018-19 and increased turnover to £533m, matching their on-the-field success, which we think is why so many have taken issue with the news.