Move is aimed at safeguarding the club’s future, MD Lee Charnley tells personnel
31 March 2020 - 16:00
byAgency Staff
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
London — Newcastle United have become the first Premier League club to place members of their non-playing staff on temporary leave in response to the coronavirus crisis, the BBC has reported.
The report said Newcastle’s MD, Lee Charnley, informed the staff in an e-mail on Monday, saying the decision was taken to safeguard the club’s future.
Newcastle have joined second-division clubs such as Birmingham City and Millwall in placing most of their workforce, with the exception of players and first-team coaching staff, on furlough.
British finance minister Rishi Sunak announced earlier in March that furloughed workers can claim 80% of their wages up to £2,500 per month as part of the coronavirus job retention scheme.
Newcastle owner Mike Ashley, who owns a controlling stake in the club, has not always been popular with fans, thousands of whom skipped matches this season to protest against his ownership. Ashley was criticised recently after a number of supporters were charged for their next season ticket, despite the suspension of the Premier League.
Ashley, who also holds a controlling stake in sports retailer Frasers Group, issued an apology last week for lobbying the government to keep his sports stores open after being told to close them as part of the coronavirus lockdown.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Newcastle United put non-playing staff on leave
Move is aimed at safeguarding the club’s future, MD Lee Charnley tells personnel
London — Newcastle United have become the first Premier League club to place members of their non-playing staff on temporary leave in response to the coronavirus crisis, the BBC has reported.
The report said Newcastle’s MD, Lee Charnley, informed the staff in an e-mail on Monday, saying the decision was taken to safeguard the club’s future.
Newcastle have joined second-division clubs such as Birmingham City and Millwall in placing most of their workforce, with the exception of players and first-team coaching staff, on furlough.
British finance minister Rishi Sunak announced earlier in March that furloughed workers can claim 80% of their wages up to £2,500 per month as part of the coronavirus job retention scheme.
Newcastle owner Mike Ashley, who owns a controlling stake in the club, has not always been popular with fans, thousands of whom skipped matches this season to protest against his ownership. Ashley was criticised recently after a number of supporters were charged for their next season ticket, despite the suspension of the Premier League.
Ashley, who also holds a controlling stake in sports retailer Frasers Group, issued an apology last week for lobbying the government to keep his sports stores open after being told to close them as part of the coronavirus lockdown.
Reuters
Give the title to Liverpool, says Man City’s Gundogan
Coronavirus expected to slash football transfer market values
Proposed Fifa regulations could delay Maluleka’s move from Chiefs to Sundowns
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Related Articles
Turkey’s World Cup hero tests positive for coronavirus
Marcus Rashford helps schoolchildren get their meals during virus shutdown
Coronavirus expected to slash football transfer market values
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.