Tottenham Hotspur have reversed their decision to use the UK government’s furlough scheme in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.
The Premier League club stated at the end of March they planned to use the grant to pay 80 per cent of the wages of their 550 non-playing staff.
However, the club announced on Monday they had revised that decision in the wake of mounting pressure from their own fans.
“In view of supporter sentiment regarding the scheme, it is now not our intention to make use of the [Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme] that runs until the end of May,” the club announced in a statement.
“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.”
The statement said that the club had “decided that all non-playing staff, whether full-time, casual or furloughed, will receive 100 per cent of their pay for April and May” and that “only the board will take salary reductions”.
Daniel Levy, the Spurs chairman, said the criticism of the original decision had been “keenly” felt.
“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,” Levy said.
“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.”
Our focus now turns to supporting our NHS, with the stadium transformed this weekend to house @NorthMidNHS Women’s Outpatient Services and COVID-19 testing. pic.twitter.com/I9LygBxd0S
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) April 13, 2020
The club had been urged by their own supporters trust to “do the right thing” last week.
“This is an unprecedented situation and no-one, including supporters' organisations, will get everything right from the start,” the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters Trust had written.
“We have made this statement in good faith and remain willing to work with all parties for the best outcome.
“We still believe there is time for the board to show they have listened and to do the right thing.”
Spurs have followed Liverpool in performing a U-turn on their initial decision to use UK taxpayer's money to pay their staff.
The club also announced their stadium would be used as part of the medical effort to combat the virus.
“Equipment has now been installed in our stadium to operate drive-through Covid-19 testing and swabbing for NHS staff, families and their dependents,” the statement said.
"Our Tottenham Hotspur Stadium becomes the first Premier League ground to be used for testing, following on from other sporting venues around the world."
