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Barcelona agree to furlough staff amid coronavirus crisis - source

Barcelona's request to reduce wages across the board at the club during the coronavirus pandemic has been granted by the government, a source has confirmed to ESPN.

Barca announced last month their intention to cut salaries of both playing staff and non-sporting employees in an attempt to minimise the financial repercussions of the crisis.

An agreement was later reached with the men's first team for a temporary reduction of 70%, although the club moved forward with Spanish labour legislation to apply for an ERTE [Temporary Reduction of Employment Action] for other employees. 

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The ERTE will be applied to all of the club's athletes, including the women's football team and the basketball team, among others, as well as staff in non-sporting departments at the club.

Barca revealed that athletes at the club would also see their wages reduced by 70%. They did not say how much it would affect non-sporting staff, but a source told ESPN it would also be the same amount.

The government will pay 70% of the lost wages up to a certain amount and Barca's players, through a statement first released through Lionel Messi last week, have pledged to pay the rest to ensure that none of the non-sporting staff lose money during the pandemic.

A source also confirmed that Espanyol and Alaves have also had ERTE requests accepted by the government. Atletico Madrid expect to have their petition granted this week, too.

La Liga have urged all the clubs in Spain's top flight to take similar measures to ensure their long-term futures.

Barca, who are owned by their members and don't have outside investment, fear the crisis could have severe consequences on their finances.

The club is already losing match-day revenue, as well as money from the club museum, which draws thousands of visitors every week. There is also uncertainty about how much they will make in prize money and television money this season, with football across Europe suspended.

Clubs across Europe are taking similar action. In England, Liverpool's announcement that they would furlough non-playing staff has drawn criticism, with former player Jamie Carragher saying "respect and goodwill" has been lost by the decision.

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