Liverpool Reverse Decision To Use Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme In Letter To Supporters

Liverpool CEO Peter Moore has written a letter to supporters stating that the club will not be using the UK Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme for its furloughed staff, and will instead find alternative means to cover furlough costs.

The letter comes on the back of criticism aimed at the club following an announcement on Saturday that they planned to use the scheme which would see 80% of the wages of some non-playing staff paid for by the government.

Liverpool signalled their intention to top up this amount with the extra 20%, meaning staff would be on full pay during this uncertain period, but their decision to use government money was called into question.

On Sunday, Liverpool supporters’ union, Spirit Of Shankly, sent an open letter to Moore which raised a number of questions surrounding the club’s original announcement.

Moore has now responded to clarify the club’s position, and signalled their intention to find other ways of protecting their workforce during this time.

“We have consulted with a range of key stakeholders as part of a process aimed at achieving the best possible outcome for all concerned,” he said.

“A range of possible scenarios were considered, including but not restricted to: applying to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, which pays 80 per cent of salary and guaranteeing the 20 per cent payment; applying to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme with a guarantee to reimburse monies received at a later date; and, thirdly, finding an alternative means to cover our furlough costs.

“It is as a direct result of this extensive consultation and our own internal deliberations at various levels throughout the club that we have opted to find alternative means despite our eligibility to apply for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

“We believe we came to the wrong conclusion last week to announce that we intended to apply to the Coronavirus Retention Scheme and furlough staff due to the suspension of the Premier League football calendar, and are truly sorry for that.

“Our intentions were, and still are, to ensure the entire workforce is given as much protection as possible from redundancy and/or loss of earnings during this unprecedented period.

“We are therefore committed to finding alternative ways to operate while there are no football matches being played that ensures we are not applying for the government relief scheme.”

The club have undertaken a number of initiatives to support their non-playing staff during this time, which include regular updates from Moore himself, plus an online portal which offers health and wellbeing information.

This includes the option to seek advice and guidance from other members of the club’s staff such as the sports psychologist and head of nutrition.

This isn’t the first time Liverpool’s current owners, Fenway Sports Group, have reversed a decision after taking on board supporters’ views.

In 2016 they went back on a decision to raise ticket prices to up to £77 after 10,000 fans made their feelings known by walking out of Anfield on the 77th minute during a game against Sunderland.

This time around there are no games where issues can be aired, but fans have raised their concerns across social media, and the club have heard them.

The club praised those supporters who engaged with them on these matters, as well as other figures involved with such issues across the city.

“We would also like to take the opportunity to thank those who have engaged with us in a productive fashion,” added Moore.

“None more so than our supporters, their representatives, particularly Spirit of Shankly, the Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, Metro Mayor, Steve Rotheram, local MPs Dan Carden and many other individuals, with whom we have had much valued dialogue.”



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