This is the first thing that Newcastle United's new owners will do once takeover is completed

Owner Ashley used the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to put most of the club’s non-playing staff on furlough on 80% of their wages.

Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur opted against using the scheme following a backlash.

Newcastle’s position has not changed.

However, The Athletic report that Amanda Staveley’s consortium intend to take staff off the scheme if their takeover is approved by the Premier League.