Coronavirus: Gallagher Premiership side Harlequins ask staff to take 25 per cent wage cut
Harlequins have requested their staff, players and coaches take a 25 per cent pay cut due to the outbreak of the coronavirus.
The pandemic has had a significant impact on sport and continues to worsen on a daily basis, the Olympic Games the latest competition under severe pressure to be postponed.
Harlequins are not the first rugby club to cut wages, with Gloucester, Saracens, Wasps, Bristol and Worcester also doing so. Scottish Premiership side Hearts have also asked their staff to take a wage cut of 50 per cent.
In a statement on their website, chief executive Laurie Dalrymple said: "Today, we have made the difficult decision to ask all our staff, players and coaches to support the club through a 25 per cent reduction of salary.
"We will look after our lowest earners and those facing financial difficulty.
"This move hasn't been taken lightly, but in order to protect jobs, the future of Harlequins and the excellent and committed people that resides within. Even with this important contribution, we will need all of our stakeholders to come together to help secure the club's future.
"In the coming days, the focus of our club will switch to supporting our local communities, doing our best to support those who need our help.
"On behalf of our owners and the board, I want to take this moment to thank everyone at our club for their incredible passion, support and sacrifice - from our players to our coaches, our maintenance staff, our community coaches our Foundation - everyone employed at Harlequins plays their part and has displayed so much humility in how they've embraced this difficult process."
