MX23RW : Monday, November 25 03:45:08| >> :600:218607:218607:

Coronavirus latest: Scotland manager Steve Clarke takes 10% pay cut

Coronavirus latest: Scotland manager Steve Clarke takes 10% pay cut
© Reuters
It is understood that 50 per cent of the Scottish FA has been placed on furlough leave.

Scotland boss Steve Clarke and Scottish Football Association chief executive Ian Maxwell have taken a 10 per cent wage cut as the coronavirus crisis continues to take its toll.

It is understood that 50 per cent of the Scottish FA has been placed on furlough leave, where the government scheme allows workers to claim 80 per cent of their wages to a maximum of £2,500 per month, with their status being "reviewed on an ongoing basis".

The remaining staff, including all other national team coaches such as Shelley Kerr, manager of the Scotland women's team, have also agreed a 10 per cent reduction with immediate effect, also subject to review.

With football in lockdown and and with no firm date for its return due  as the  pandemic sweeps the nation, the governing body face £5million to £6million in lost revenue due to the postponed Euro 2020 semi-final play-off against Israel at Hampden Park and the William Hill Scottish Cup semi-finals and final at the national stadium.

Steve Clarke unveiling as new Scotland National Team Head Coach
Scottish FA chief executive Ian Maxwell (right) joins national team boss Steve Clarke in taking wage cut amid coronavirus pandemic (Jane Barlow/PA)

In a statement released to PA news agency, which noted that "the Scottish FA board has agreed measures to safeguard employment of staff and mitigate the financial impact of COVID-19 to the governing body," SFA president Rod Petrie said: "I am grateful to our people for their efforts in adapting to these challenging and unprecedented times".

Petrie, who, along with vice president, Mike Mulraney, has agreed to a 20 per cut to their directors' remuneration and deferred all future remuneration until the resumption of 'business as usual', continued: "The impact of the virus on Scottish football is significant and from the Scottish FA's perspective alone, this has already resulted in the postponement of a sell-out match against Israel in the UEFA Nations League play-off and the William Hill Scottish Cup semi-finals and final at Hampden Park.

"As the governing body, we have a responsibility to protect the national game and it is also our duty as a board to safeguard the future of our staff during what medical experts predict will be an enduring period of uncertainty and national lockdown.

San Marino v Scotland – UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifying – Group I – San Marino Stadium
Scottish FA president Rod Petrie reveals steps taken to protect the national game during coronavirus crisis (Simon Cooper/PA)

"I stress this is a temporary measure in light of the severe impact COVID-19 has had on the association's income generation and I would like to thank everyone for their understanding and ongoing commitment to the national game."

The financial implications of COVID-19  are already being felt in club football in Scotland.

Hearts players and staff have been asked to take a 50 per cent wage cut while Aberdeen chairman Dave Cormack claimed that the Pittodrie club is facing a £5million shortfall which will require "some tough decisions".

Chairman Ronald Gordon warned Hibernian fans that "difficult decisions" will have to be taken as another Scottish club faced up to the financial implications of the coronavirus crisis.

ID:394960: cacheID:394960:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6585:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
David Marshall in action for Scotland on September 6, 2019
Read Next:
David Marshall hopeful Scotland have fully fit squad when football resumes
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!