Peterborough United co-owner blasts ‘disgraceful’ PFA and he’s happy to pay a fine if he’s broken any FA or EFL rules

Dr Neale delivered a tweet saying the PFA should be ashamed of themselves for telling players not to automatically accept wage deferrals or pay cuts to ease the burden on their clubs.

Premier League sides Tottenham, Newcastle, Bournemouth and Norwich have opted to utilise the government’s job retention scheme to continue paying non-playing staff at their clubs. There is a growing belief highly-paid players should help to foot that bill.

Dr Neale said: “Read the comments from the PFA. Absolutely disgraceful and disappointing. You should all be ashamed. Probably broken some FA or EFL rule. but hapy to pay the fine.”

Dr Neale was responding to a PFA statement which read: “We are aware of the public sentiment that the players should pay non-playing staff’s salaries. However, our current position is that - as businesses - if clubs can afford to pay their players and staff, they should.

“The players we have spoken to recognise that the non-playing staff are a vital part of their club and they do not want to see club staff furloughed unfairly.

“Any use of the government’s support schemes without genuine financial need is detrimental to the wider society.

“In instances where clubs have the resources to pay all staff, the benefit of players paying non-playing staff salaries will only serve the business of the club’s shareholders.

“We do fully accept that players will have to be flexible and share the financial burden of the Covid-19 outbreak in order to secure the long-term future of their own club and indeed the wider game.

“Our advice going out to players at this point reflects that expectation.”

Players at Championship leaders Leeds United have already volunteered to take a wage deferral, while Birmingham City players who earn more than £6,000 a week have been asked to take a 50% cut for the next four months.

In Europe, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid players have taken a 70% pay cut, while Juventus players and manager Maurizio Sarri have agreed to freeze their pay for four months.

Posh have not yet asked their players to defer pay, but that position is expected to change.