Newcastle United furlough staff amid Premier League shutdown

The club has told a number of staff that it will use the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, which was set up to safeguard jobs in all industries during the shutdown.

It is the first Premier League club to use the scheme, which will pay people 80% of their salary up to a maximum of £2,500 a month.

Staff were reportedly told via email that the move is to safeguard the club's future. First-team players and coaches are unaffected.

The Premier League was suspended earlier this month and may not resume until June. Head coach Steve Bruce said: “We have to try and get this season finished, whatever that takes – everybody wants that. But we must also remember that the health and safety of players and staff is far more important than football.”