Albion pay talks on hold for now

Discussions over a possible reduction and/or deferral of wages will resume when the club have a better idea of the likely financial impact caused by the current shutdown.

Premier League clubs are aiming to return to action next month behind closed doors and have already started refunding tickets for remaining fixtures this season.

But the full cost of the coronavirus-enforced stoppage remains to be seen.

Seagulls deputy chairman and chief executive Paul Barber and technical director Dan Ashworth opened talks several weeks ago with captain Lewis Dunk and senior professional Glenn Murray.

All parties have consistently reported that dialogue to be positive but no final outcome has yet been reached.

Barber said: “Very openly and transparently we agreed with Glenn and Lewis we would park those discussions until we had a much clearer sight on what returning to play looked like and when it might be.

“At that point we will have a much clearer idea of what potential losses we are going to be suffering over and above what our normal budgeted losses were going to be.

“When we have got that we can share it with them openly and transparently.

“That will then enable us to have a foundation from which to pick up the discussion.

“We have simply parked them until we have got more clarity.”

An easing of the wage bill seems key to Albion emerging from the unprecedented loss of income in as good a shape as possible.

Barber, Ashworth and head coach Graham Potter all took voluntary pay cuts.

But the club have yet to reduce wages elsewhere and have not furloughed staff.

Matchday staff are still being paid even though their services may not be needed with the turnstiles locked for the five remaining fixtures at the Amex.

Barber explained why he was not disappointed no deal had yet been struck with the players.

He said: “Players are contracted with guarantees so I didn’t expect people to give up what they had a contractual right to overnight.

“I also think it was entirely fair for them to want to understand the extent of our losses before they contemplated what contribution they might make.

“When we started those discussions, things were still at a relatively early stage in this crisis. We didn’t know what we were facing.

“We still don’t know what we are facing to any real extent.

“We know now certainly the rest of this season will be behind closed doors.

“We don’t know yet how much of next season might have to be.

“The losses we are facing are emerging almost week by week as we go through.

“I think it makes sense to draw a line in the sand once we have got a picture on this season. Then we can talk to them again and engage them.”