Chelsea players

Chelsea’s first-team players are not taking pay cuts or contributing towards the club financially due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the club said in a statement on Saturday.

Following extensive talks, the players have instead been asked to continue “supporting other charitable causes,” English Premier League (EPL) clubside Chelsea said in the statement.

British media had reported earlier that the club were in talks with players over the possibility of a 10 percent pay cut due to the crisis.

“At this time, the men’s first team will not be contributing towards the club financially,” Chelsea said.

“Instead the board has directed the team to focus their efforts on further supporting other charitable causes.

“As this crisis develops, the club will continue to have conversations with the men’s first team regarding financial contributions to the club’s activities.”

Chelsea added that they would not be using the government’s job retention scheme during the crisis and would continue to pay staff in full.

“The club can confirm we will not be taking advantage of the government’s current Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme which runs to June 30,” the club said.

“We are not planning any general redundancies or furloughs for our full-time staff who are continuing to be paid 100 percent of their current wages.”

Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Bournemouth have all reversed initial decisions to furlough non-playing staff during the pandemic in the wake of criticism.

Earlier on Saturday, Norwich City defended their decision to furlough staff.

Premier League clubs such as Southampton and West Ham United have announced wage deferrals for players since English football was suspended last month due to the outbreak.

Arsenal have announced a 12.5 percent pay cut for players and coaching staff.(Reuters/NAN)