SPORTS DESK:Reigning La Liga champions Barcelona will cut the wages of their players and staff to reduce the economic effects of the coronavirus crisis.
All professional players including Lionel Messi as well as non-playing staff will face a compulsory wage reduction during the period of lockdown, the club’s directors decided at a board meeting.
“Among the measures adopted, it’s worth noting those related to the workplace are motivated by the need to adapt the contractual obligations of the club staff to the new and temporary circumstances that we are experiencing,” Barcelona said in a statement.
Spain was put into lockdown on March 14 with citizens only allowed to leave their homes in order to conduct essential business. The period is expected to be extended this weekend once the initial 15-day period has finished.
“Among the measures adopted, those related to the workplace are motivated by the need to adapt the club’s contractual obligations with its staff to the new and temporary circumstances that we are experiencing. This involves the presentation of different cases concerning football and other professional sports, as well as for the other non-sporting personnel,” the club said.
Spain has been Europe’s second-most impacted country by the pandemic behind Italy, with the death toll surpassing 4,000. Over 56,000 people have tested positive for the virus.
“It is a reduction of the working day, imposed by the circumstances and the protection measures carried out, and, as a consequence, the proportional reduction of the remuneration provided for in the respective contracts.”
Barca also said they have made their club and annex facilities available to the Catalan government’s regional health department.
