Manchester City: Premier League champions confirm they won't use government furlough scheme on employees

Tottenham and Liverpool have come under intense fire for revealing they plan to place their non-playing staff on furlough - meaning the government will pay for 80 percent of their wages up to £2500 a month per individual.

Norwich, Newcastle and Bournemouth have also said they planned on using the scheme, which many believe was meant more for struggling smaller business rather than wealthy Premier League sides.

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Manchester City, though, are the first top flight team to come out and confirm they won't be using the furlough scheme, with the current Premier League champions saying they plan on keeping their staff going by their own considerable means.

A Man City statement read: "We can confirm, following a decision by the chairman and board last week, that Manchester City will not be utilising the UK Government's Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (government funded furloughing).

"We remain determined to protect our people, their jobs and our business, whilst at the same time doing what we can to support our wider community at this most challenging time for everybody."

Premier League runaway leaders Liverpool have been especially criticised for taking this measure given their stature in the game and the money that the club generates.

They announced a £42m profit in February and have paid out a similar amount just in player agents fees alone in the last year - yet will be taking UK government money to help pay their non-playing staff.

Premier League footballers are also uner the microscope as the row around possible pay cuts continues to circulate.

Wayne Rooney has blasted the government and Premier League for effectively hanging them to try and pushing them into a no-win situation.

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