Tottenham Backtrack on Plans to Cut Non-Playing Staff Wages

​Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed that they have ditched plans to cut the wages of all non-playing staff at the club.

Their initial decision to utilise the government's furlough scheme, which covers 80% of the wages of workers impacted by the coronavirus lockdown, ​was met with fierce criticism - a similar backlash saw Liverpool backtrack on their plans to do the same.

​Spurs took to their ​official website to confirm that they had changed their stance on the position, and now non-playing staff will receive 100% of their wages for April and May, with only board members accepting the cuts.

"With no clarity on when football might resume and under what conditions, we shall continue to keep this under on-going review," a statement read. "We should like to thank our staff for their incredible support and understanding.

In view of supporter sentiment regarding the scheme, it is now not our intention to make use of the current Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme that runs until the end of May. 

"We shall consult with stakeholders, including the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust with whom we have been in dialogue over the past week and who share our desire to protect jobs, should circumstances change going forward."

Chairman Daniel Levy added: “The criticism the Club has received over the last week has been felt all the more keenly because of our track record of good works and our huge sense of responsibility to care for those that rely on us, particularly locally.

“It was never our intent, as custodians, to do anything other than put measures in place to protect jobs whilst the Club sought to continue to operate in a self-sufficient manner during uncertain times.

“We regret any concern caused during an anxious time and hope the work our supporters will see us doing in the coming weeks, as our stadium takes on a whole new purpose, will make them proud of their Club.”

For more from, Tom Gott, follow him on Twitter!