Sheffield United's players could use technology to enable key meeting to take place

Sheffield United’s first team squad could hold a video conference to discuss a proposal which would see Premier League players defer a portion of their wages to help clubs cope with the financial challenges presented by the coronavirus crisis.
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With competition unlikely to resume early next month as planned, senior figures at the highest level of the game are known to be keen on the idea of asking England’s top-flight footballers to follow the lead of their counterparts at places like Barcelona and Juventus by accepting a temporary salary cut.

With the money they forgo then being filtered back into their wage packets when the fixture schedule restarts, the plan would require the agreement of the Professional Footballers’ Association before being pushed through.

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With Chris Wilder’s first team squad now training at home in order to comply with the Government’s social distancing measures, its members are expected to discuss the matter amongst themselves in a private ‘chatroom’ later this week.

On Monday, Newcastle placed all non-footballing staff on temporary leave with managing director Lee Charnley telling them it was to safeguard the club’s financial future. Although workers will continue to receive their full pay packets until the end of April, it is reported some have been encouraged to apply for the nationwide job retention scheme, which protects 80 per cent of an eligible employee’s earnings up to a sum of £2,500.

Steve Bruce’s players are thought to still be receiving the full amount they are owed.