Manchester United, Liverpool FC Set Example With Brilliant Gesture Amid Coronavirus Crisis

Top soccer clubs such as Manchester United and Liverpool FC have set an excellent example by deciding to pay all casual matchday staff even if the remainder of their Premier League season is scrapped or played behind closed doors.

Premier League, which was supposed to resume on April 4, now has been suspended until April 30, the Football Association (FA) has announced. However, Liverpool and Man Utd have ensured that their staff’s financial condition won’t be affected by it.

“This goodwill gesture reflects the club's desire to reduce the financial uncertainty facing its casual workforce, and is in recognition of the crucial role they play in delivering services to supporters," said Man Utd in a statement.

The Premier League leaders Liverpool had three home matches scheduled until April 30 and the club has decided to pay their casual matchday staff on an average fee pro-rata on the number of league games worked this season. Even though it could cost Liverpool close to $300K per match, the Anfield side is determined to continue to check and get in touch with any of the members that could be directly affected in any way.

While other clubs that are financially good such as Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal are yet to take a step like Liverpool and Man Utd, a lower-ranked side Brighton have led the way by joining Liverpool and Man Utd in this case.

“We have taken the decision as a club to continue paying the vast majority of our matchday staff for the remainder of the season, whether or not we play the five remaining Premier League games. We feel that is really important, whether we play the games in a full stadium, behind closed doors or at all. We want those staff to know they’ve got their pay coming to them."

"That is a small thing we can do. The vast majority of people we employ are local people so it is important we support them, and through them our local economy, at a difficult time and hopefully give them some reassurance, regardless of what else happens, that they still have that income from us to come,” Brighton said in a statement.