FIFPRO against Covid-19 redundancies and wage cuts in football

FIFPro has asked football clubs not to consider temporary redundancies or wage decreases for their players, pointing out that the majority of players don't earn a lot of money. 

They released a statement late on Friday given the measures being taken across the globe by clubs in an attempt to combat the coronavirus pandemic. 

"We call on clubs with short-term financial difficulties to meet with national player unions to negotiate fair and proportionate arrangements which respect their legal obligations, and equally address the interests of both employer and employee," the statement said.

"At a time of such a significant social crisis, solutions must be found with everybody’s contribution. Most football players outside the world’s biggest leagues are earning at the same level or below average domestic income and would be severely affected by salary decreases.

"In these turbulent times caused by the spread of coronavirus and shutdown of football, FIFPRO and our affiliated player associations are receiving a large volume of calls for assistance from professional footballers."

The organisaition asked clubs with financial problems to deal with the respective players' associations in each country -- the AFE in Spain. 

"Professional football reinvests a large amount of revenue on sporting potential," the statement continued. "This financial model is now coming under pressure on a global basis, particularly in small and mid-sized leagues. We are committed to doing our utmost to support player unions and professional footballers in this situation.

"During such an unprecedented period, FIFPRO will employ extra resources in order to further step up our efforts to support players, and provide them with extra legal advice, mental health support and second-career planning.

"While we are encouraged by football stakeholder cooperation at an international level, we are extremely concerned that a significant number of clubs, in more than half a dozen countries, have begun to immediately lay off players or unilaterally reduce their salaries."