Paul Barber explains exactly how Brighton are tackling the thorny issue of player wage cuts

Brighton and Hove Albion chief executive and deputy chairman Paul Barber believes openness and transparency will help them come to an agreement regarding player wages during the Premier League suspension.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Albion are currently in urgent talks with senior players Lewis Dunk and Glenn Murray, who are acting as representatives for the players.

The club need to reduce costs quickly and Barber stressed the urgency to find to an agreement and hopes for a swift resolution soon after the Easter weekend.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"This isn’t a fire drill, this is real," said Barber. "This is probably the worst crisis the football industry has faced – ever. We must take it seriously.

"This is not a fire drill." Paul Barber is trying to navigate Brighton and Hove Albion through the "worst crisis the football industry has ever faced.""This is not a fire drill." Paul Barber is trying to navigate Brighton and Hove Albion through the "worst crisis the football industry has ever faced."
"This is not a fire drill." Paul Barber is trying to navigate Brighton and Hove Albion through the "worst crisis the football industry has ever faced."

"There has not been a day that has gone by since Saturday that myself and Dan (Ashworth) and Glenn and Lewis haven’t spoken on this, just to keep each other informed of where things are and to make sure as much information as they need is in front of them.

"At a time like this, it is good to be transparent, then you don’t have a confrontation. We are trying with our players to find a solution which helps the club at a difficult but, at the same time, respects the fact player have contracts which are guaranteed. We are just trying to find a way through that which suits everyone.

"We showed them very clearly what our financial position would have been before this crisis. We projected a loss. We lost money last year.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"What we have said is if we can take a cut on wages to reduce the loss of match day income, that would be a significant help to us," said Barber.

"If, on the other hand, at some stage in the future we recover that matchday income by playing those matches in front of a crowd, then we would simply return that money.

"At the moment, because it is so uncertain and our costs are so high and our income has stopped overnight, we need help now and they totally understand that.

We have shown them all the numbers and how they break down.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"Also what the monthly non-player wage bill is as well. They can see that, if they did make a contribution, how much that would go towards supporting the jobs of their colleagues in the club and, I know, they support and value those people very much.

"They have asked very good questions. They can see the money would go to supporting the club at a very difficult time. It has been very apparent to them."

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton: In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.