Serie A’s Brescia, who want the Italian season stopped because of the coronavirus pandemic, announced on Wednesday their players have agreed to salary cuts.
In a statement
adressed to season-ticket holders, president Massimo Cellino praised “the great
sensitivity and responsibility shown by our players who, almost all, have
accepted very quickly the proposals to reduce salaries, in order to protect the
integrity of the club in such a delicate moment”.
No details were
given on how much players at the promoted club, who include Italian
international Mario Balotelli, had agreed to forego.
The town of Brescia
is at the epicentre of Italy’s coronavirus crisis, with nearly 10,000 people
infected by the virus.
“The club would
like to avoid resuming (the season) out of respect for the sad reality of
Brescia,” the team added.
They were promoted
to the top flight last season and are currently bottom of the table, nine
points from safety.
League leaders
Juventus announced late last month that they had cut their players’ and coach
Maurizio Sarri’s salaries over the period from March to June.
The Italian
champions estimated the cuts would have “a positive impact of 90 million euros
on the 2019/2020 financial year”.
The Italian footballers’
association (AIC) has rejected attempts by clubs to cut salaries.