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A former FA chief executive has called for widespread pay cuts to be introduced in the EFL, as the coronavirus pandemic threatens to trigger a financial crisis in football.

The suspension of professional football until at least the end of April is set to have a severe financial impact on clubs across the country, with the vital stream of match day revenue now no longer available.

Speaking to the Athletic, Tranmere Rovers co-owner Mark Palios revealed that he will be asking his players to take a 10% pay cut cut until "normality" in the game resumes.

He said: "The first priority for the league was to sort out the short-term cash-flow issue right now and they have (via the £50 million fund announced on Wednesday). But now we have the harder challenge of trying to get to a position of certainty at a time when nobody can be certain about anything.

"How long will this season go on? Not knowing that will have an impact on budgets and plans for next season, and that is why I think we will need another support package for the medium-term issues clubs will face."

He continued: "I would like to see a salary cap. I completely understand the PFA wanting to fight for its members but they have to have an industry to play in.

"Football needs a salary cap, the simpler the better. It will be supported by the public and it will reflect the financial reality."

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