The first-team team of the Championship leaders, together with director Marcelo Bielsa and his backroom team, will forgo part of their wages.
Players and coaching staff at Leeds United are becoming the first in a professional English football club to reevaluate their salary throughout the coronavirus pandemic, to make certain that nobody in the Championship side loses their jobs.
English football was suspended until at least April 30 because of the COVID-19 outbreak, leaving a number of lower league clubs concerned about the reduction of matchday and broadcasting revenue.
A statement published by Leeds on Thursday morning said that director Marcelo Bielsa, together with the players and the senior administration, has offered to defer part of their salaries while soccer is on hold due to the virus.
It said that the players had met with team chief executive Angus Kinnear and director of soccer Victor Orta and means they can continue to cover their 272 full-time workers and the vast majority of casual staff employed at their Elland Road stadium and Thorp Arch training centre.
The announcement reads: “The spread of this COVID-19 virus has seen the UK and a number of other countries around the globe in a state of ‘lockdown’ and while there’s a shared commitment to finish the season, the lack of fittings, cancellation of events and closing of the soccer financing marketplace will cost the club a few million pounds every month.
“The decision has been made by the squad to defer part of their salaries to make sure that the club can continue to cover all members of full-time employees and the vast majority of casual staff for the forthcoming months.”
A collective statement from the Leeds team said that the team would work together to get through the current crisis and encouraged fans to listen to official information about how to fight coronavirus.
They said:”Leeds United is a family, this is the culture that’s been made by everyone in the club, by the players and the board to the team and the fans in the stands.
“We face uncertain times and thus it’s important that all of us work together to find a way in which the club can push through this period and finish the season in the way all of us hope we can.
“In the meantime, let us work as one to listen to the government information and the healthcare and overcome this virus.”
Orta added: “My players have shown an unbelievable sense of unity and togetherness and I’m proud of their activities. To Marcelo and his team and all the players, we thank them for putting our wider staff and caring for the family.
“Now we must concentrate on public health, and when the people are secure, complete what we started. Vamos carajo.”
Leeds are currently high in England’s second tier with nine games remaining in the 2019-20 league season.
The three-time First Division champions had seemed set for a return to the Premier League for the first time since 2004, prior to the season has been suspended.
