French footballers strike deal to reduce wages

Paris, Apr 8 (AFP) Footballers and clubs in France's top two leagues have reached a non-binding agreement over a "temporary" pay cut during the coronavirus crisis, the national players' union (UNFP) has said.

"We approved the recommendation this morning," UNFP president Philippe Piat told AFP on Tuesday.

"The idea is that players defer a part of their April wages to allow clubs to cope," during what he called a "dramatic health situation".

Club and player representatives agreed upon a joint "recommendation" that would see footballers accept a temporarily reduced wage, which they will receive once money from TV rights is paid.

Broadcasters Canal+ and beIN Sports have for the time being suspended the payments, the clubs' main source of revenue, after the season was put on hold last month indefinitely.

The pay cuts will be calculated on a sliding scale starting at 20 percent, with the highest earners -- those who pocket over 100,000 euros monthly -- facing a 50 per cent reduction.

Players making less than 10,000 euros will not be affected.

Under French labour law the arrangement cannot be legally enforced, although the UNFP president expects "a large majority will not go against" the agreement.

"We advise them to accept it because it is a question of saving jobs. Without this temporary effort the profession would suffer," he said.

Several Ligue 1 clubs, including Lyon and Marseille, have already placed their squads on partial unemployment to save money, a move that means they only pay 70 per cent of salaries with the state paying the rest, albeit limited to 4,850 euros per employee. AFP SSCSSC