Bayern Munich, other Bundesliga clubs take pay cut

March 25, 2020 | 13:54

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Footballers at Germany's top teams including Bayern Munich have agreed to take pay cuts to help clubs survive the economic impact of the coronavirus, media reports said on Tuesday (Mar 24).

bayern munich other bundesliga clubs take pay cut

Bayern Munich are among a host of Bundesliga clubs who will take a pay cut during the coronavirus pandemic. AFP/Christof STACHE

Newspaper Bild said players and club officials at champions Bayern, top of the Bundesliga when the season was halted on Mar 13, have accepted a 20 per cent cut in their salaries.

Like all top European leagues, the German top flight is losing income from broadcasting, sponsorships and ticket sales during the COVID-19 pandemic, with matches in Germany suspended until at least Apr 2.

Bayern have a massive wage bill which reached 336 million euros (US$364 million) last year, almost half of club turnover.

Players at Borussia Moenchengladbach were the first in the Bundesliga to propose a pay cut, followed by others at Werder Bremen, Schalke 04 and Borussia Dortmund. Bayer Leverkusen players are in talks over pay cut proposals with management.

Second-placed Dortmund said their squad members had taken a salary reduction to show solidarity with the club's 850 employees.

Coach Lucien Favre and club directors have also made a personal offer to take a pay cut.

AFP

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