Real Sociedad have become the latest La Liga club to announce that they have introduced pay cuts to playing staff to offset the financial damage caused by the coronavirus-enforced shutdown.
With Spanish football in lockdown since mid-March and a return not likely until at least June, clubs are feeling the impact of the loss of broadcast and matchday revenues.
It has left non-playing and lower-paid employees at clubs particularly vulnerable, and Sociedad have taken the measure to impose pay reductions on the squad to protect those members of staff.
"An agreement has been reached with the first team for the reduction of their wages by 20% in case the league does not resume this season, and by 5% in case the season can start again," Sociedad said in a statement.
"This decision, taken with all of the parties concerned, helps us avoid traumatic measures for the rest of our employees and helps to balance the club's economic objectives in the face of a drop in income suffered after the suspension of competition."
Sociedad also announced a 20 per cent refund on season tickets for its supporters.
At the time of the La Liga suspension last month, Sociedad were in fourth place in the championship. They had also qualified for the Copa del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao in Seville on a date still to be decided.
Sociedad's announcement comes after similar pay cuts were introduced at other Spanish clubs. Real Madrid confirmed wage cuts, estimated by Spanish media to be 10 per cent if the season resumes and 20 per cent if the league is abandoned, while Barcelona and Atletico Madrid have cut salaries by 70 per cent. Espanyol have also introduced wage reductions.
Barcelona's handling of the process drew public criticism from Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez who accused the club of putting the players under unnecessary pressure.
