Altetico Madrid follow Barça in announcing wage cuts for players

Atletico Madrid have told club members that they, like Barcelona, will be applying temporary wage reductions to members of staff across the club, including playing staff. 

In a letter sent to the club's socios, CEO Gil Marin explained that the club need to take measures to deal with the financial fallout expected from the coronavirus pandemic. 

"A situation as serious as this forces us to take tough but necessary decisions for the good of the club," he said. "Unfortunately, and with the objective of guaranteeing the club's future, we are obliged to issue ERTEs due to the State of Emergency in the country.

"Players and coaches will also be affected by these measures. We are working on minimising the impact of the measures and limiting it to what is strictly essential so that when the competition returns we can return to normality. 

"It is, as I said, a difficult decision but we have a responsibility to ensure the future of Atletico Madrid." 

Barça became the first club to confirm temporary cuts on Thursday with many more clubs expected to follow their lead. Espanyol have since said they will be applying a 70 percent cut to wages of players of the men's and women's first teams, as well as the B team and the U19s.