Barcelona players including Frenkie de Jong have all agreed to take a 70% pay cut to help the club save money during the corona virus outbreak.
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Spanish football, like the rest of the world, is currently on hold with no date of a return. Barcelona’s board have been in negotiations with the playing staff over a pay cut, with reports last week claiming that the players were refusing.
However, it has now been announced that every player, including Frenkie de Jong, will take a huge 70% pay cut to ensure the club are able to pay other staff members and cover costs.
A statement from club captain Lionel Messi confirmed the news and also took aim at the board, “Much has been written and said about the Barcelona team in regards to the salaries of the players during this state of emergency.
“We want to clarify that our will has always been to take a cut in the salary we receive, because we fully understand that this is an exceptional situation and we are always the first ones to help the club when asked.
“Therefore, it does not surprise us that from within the club there were those who tried to put us under pressure to do something we always knew we would do.
“The agreement has been delayed for a few days because we were looking for a formula to help the club and its workers during these difficult times.
“Apart from the reduction of 70 per cent from our salary, we will also make contributions so that club employees can collect 100 per cent of their salary while this situation lasts.
“We do not want to say goodbye without sending an affectionate greeting and a lot of strength to all those having a hard time in these very difficult times, as well as to all those who patiently await the end of this crisis in their homes.
“Very soon we are going to get out of this and we will all do it together.”
A number of players shared this statement, along with De Jong.
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