Pau (AFP)
The players of Pau have accepted "an average reduction of 15% in their salaries", thereby reducing the club's payroll by 3.2 million euros for the coming season, the formation of Top 14 announced on Wednesday.
"Thanks to the efforts produced by the players, the sports staff and the administrative staff, the Section will reduce its payroll by 3.2 million euros for the coming season. The reduction in the payroll is integrated into an overall plan of 'savings of 4.5 million euros,' said the Section in a statement.
After weeks of negotiations, the players have thus accepted an average drop of 15% in their remuneration, the press release added.
"The club needed it, everyone played the game. Many interviews were conducted to find the right solutions and move forward calmly on a new season," said scrum half Samuel Marques.
"It seemed logical to us in this crisis situation to make this effort, the staff wanted to lead by example," added comanager Nicolas Godignon.
Before Pau, players from Montpellier, Castres, Toulon, Clermont or Toulouse have already validated similar agreements to cope with the financial difficulties of their clubs.
© 2020 AFP