Doncaster Rovers and divisional rivals urged to take pay cut amid coronavirus football crisis

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A former FA chief executive has called for widespread pay cuts to be introduced in the EFL, as the coronavirus pandemic threatens to trigger a financial crisis in football.

The suspension of professional football until at least the end of April is set to have a severe financial impact on clubs across the country, with the vital stream of match day revenue now no longer available.

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Speaking to the Athletic, Tranmere Rovers co-owner Mark Palios revealed that he will be asking his players to take a 10% pay cut cut until "normality" in the game resumes.

He said: "The first priority for the league was to sort out the short-term cash-flow issue right now and they have (via the £50 million fund announced on Wednesday). But now we have the harder challenge of trying to get to a position of certainty at a time when nobody can be certain about anything.

(Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)(Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images) | Getty Images

"How long will this season go on? Not knowing that will have an impact on budgets and plans for next season, and that is why I think we will need another support package for the medium-term issues clubs will face."

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He continued: "I would like to see a salary cap. I completely understand the PFA wanting to fight for its members but they have to have an industry to play in.

"Football needs a salary cap, the simpler the better. It will be supported by the public and it will reflect the financial reality."