Football news - Spurs announce U-Turn on decision to furlough staff

It was announced last week that all 550 non-playing staff, up to and including chairman Daniel Levy, would fall under the British government's job retention scheme, with the club struggling with the loss of income due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Other Premier League clubs who have announced similar measures have been widely criticised, with the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust urging their club to follow the lead of the likes of Liverpool, who U-Turned on their initial decision to furlough employees.

"In our last update we said we would keep our position under review, especially in the context of revised budgets and cost cutting," a club statement read.

"Having done so we have decided that all non-playing staff, whether full-time, casual or furloughed, will receive 100 per cent of their pay for April and May. Only the Board will take salary reductions.

"With no clarity on when football might resume and under what conditions, we shall continue to keep this under on-going review. We should like to thank our staff for their incredible support and understanding.

"We are acutely aware that many supporters were against the decision we made regarding furloughing staff who could not carry out their jobs from home - due to the nature of their work - and our intention to apply, if applicable, for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), a scheme designed to ensure that jobs and employment rights are protected.

"Indeed we have seen opposition from fans to fellow Premier League clubs accessing the CJRS too. This once again underlines that we bear different pressures to other businesses, many of whom have and will continue to apply for support from the scheme as the Government intended.

In view of supporter sentiment regarding the scheme, it is now not our intention to make use of the current CJRS that runs until the end of May. We shall consult with stakeholders, including the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust with whom we have been in dialogue over the past week and who share our desire to protect jobs, should circumstances change going forward."

Levy himself added: "The criticism the Club has received over the last week has been felt all the more keenly because of our track record of good works and our huge sense of responsibility to care for those that rely on us, particularly locally.

"It was never our intent, as custodians, to do anything other than put measures in place to protect jobs whilst the Club sought to continue to operate in a self-sufficient manner during uncertain times.

"We regret any concern caused during an anxious time and hope the work our supporters will see us doing in the coming weeks, as our stadium takes on a whole new purpose, will make them proud of their Club."

The Premier League is currently suspended indefinitely and says it will only return when it is safe for players and stakeholders alike to do so.