London (AFP)
West Ham players agreed to postpone part of their wages on Friday and their coach David Moyes will cut his wages by 30% due to the financial crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic, announced the club.
This decision comes the day after that of Southampton, the first club in the English Championship whose players agreed to a deferral of wages (three months).
"The savings from these measures will support the entire club infrastructure, keep jobs and continue to pay 100% of staff salaries," West Ham said in a statement.
According to the London club, the players, guided by their captain Mark Noble, participated in this effort "by deferring a percentage of their salary", which has not been specified, "during the period of suspension" of the matches.
"We have been in constant dialogue with the club since the situation related to Covid-19 appeared and I am proud that our entire team has clearly expressed its keen desire to play its role in supporting the others (club members)", said Noble, quoted in the club press release.
Like David Moyes, West Ham vice president Karren Brady and club finance director Andy Mollett also agreed to a 30% drop in salary.
West Ham owners David Sullivan and David Gold have announced plans to inject £ 30 million (EUR 34m) into the club to keep it stable.
Southampton announced on Thursday a three-month salary deferral for its players, coach Ralph Hasenhuttl and its managers, becoming the first Premier League team to take such action due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Bournemouth coach Eddie Howe also agreed to a pay cut in early April, becoming the first Premier League coach to do so.
© 2020 AFP