Newcastle United have no plans to follow Liverpool's lead and reverse furlough decision

Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool, along with Newcastle, last week revealed that they would furlough non-playing staff on 80% pay using the new Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

Their decision to take Government money provoked a backlash – and Liverpool have now reversed their decision following heavy criticism.

Liverpool chief executive Peter Moore said: “We believe we came to the wrong conclusion last week to announce that we intended to apply to the coronavirus retention scheme and furlough staff due to the suspension of the Premier League football calendar, and are truly sorry for that.”

The Gazette understands there are currently no plans at Newcastle United to reverse the club’s position on staff members being placed on furlough.

It comes as Sunderland today announced they have placed all players and backroom staff, as well as academy contracted players, on furlough leave.

League One fixtures have been postponed indefinitely due to the coronavirus outbreak and as of yet, it is not known when or if the current campaign will resume.

The club recently put a significant number of its non-playing staff on furlough leave, using the Government’s jobs retention scheme.

That sees the Government cover the cost of 80% of wages up to £2,500 a month, and the club pledged to top up the rest.

In its announcement today, Sunderland AFC also said that it would ensure that ‘all employees are paid in full’.