Why Sheffield United's players could have their wages deferred until Premier League resumes

The Professional Footballers Association (PFA) are meeting Premier League and EFL officials today over the matter, as football as a whole ponders its next steps over the Covid-19 pandemic.

A number of items are on the agenda – including player wages and a possible deferral of salaries.

Some clubs, according to reports, believe a wage deferral is “inevitable” during the enforced suspension of football.

PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor said: “What the meeting is to look at is all the financial data from clubs in their respective leagues, and then to have a structure in place to deal with those clubs who are most in need.”

Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur this week used a Government scheme to furlough non-playing and coaching staff during the coronavirus pandemic. They will receive 80 per cent of their wages up to a maximum of £2,500 a month.

The players at both clubs were unaffected, unlike other clubs such as Barcelona, Juventus, Leeds United and Bayern Munich, who have agreed to take a wage deferral.

A report today said that Premier League clubs prefer a united approach have been anxious to avoid pay cuts for their star players – because it could trigger legal claims for unpaid wages, allowing them to leave on free transfers.

A united approach across the whole Premier League is believed to be favoured by clubs.