Barcelona on Thursday became the first La Liga club to announce a pay cut for its players, and Atletico Madrid could follow suit after informing its players of the necessary cuts while there are no matches.
"We talked to our players, they are aware of what is happening. I know that there will be no problem on their part, nor on the part of the coaches and technical staff," said Atlético president Enrique Cerezo in an interview with "Radio Marca".
"We are making financial plans thinking about every possible situation. We do not know how the situation with the championship will develop. It is worthless to say now how it will continue in May because no one knows," he added.
In Spain, the number of coronavirus patients increased by almost 7.900 on Friday, exceeding 64.000.
"Fortunately, we didn't have any problems with the coronavirus in the entire team, among the coaches and officials," Cerezo said.
Atlético, however, like other clubs, currently does not receive income from television rights, tickets and souvenirs because 47 million inhabitants are at home, and stadiums and shops with jerseys and sports equipment are closed.
"Everyone is implementing ERTE," noted Serezo.
And Atletika is played by our own Stefan Savić.
In Spain, in the case of 'force majeure', such as the one created by the introduction of the state of emergency in the country on March 14, companies can open the Procedure for the Temporary Regulation of Employment (ERTE).
Barcelona announced it on Thursday.
"It is simply a matter of reducing the working hours of athletes and employees, which will proportionally reduce their salaries," the Catalan club announced.
Barcelona did not specify by how much it intends to reduce their working hours, nor by what percentage they will reduce their salary. Such a regime of suspended contracts will be in effect from March 14 until the end of the state of emergency, which has been extended until April 11.
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