Aberdeen latest club to announce wage cut talks as they aim to 'safe-guard jobs'

Aberdeen have held talks with players and staff over wage cuts. Picture: SNS

Aberdeen have entered talks with players and staff regarding wage cuts.

The Dons hierarchy have sought to express and explain the need for temporary cuts due to the financial climate.

Chairman Dave Cormack had hoped that fans would return to games much sooner than expected. Without supporters through the gate, perhaps until much later in the year or 2021, other measures are required to “safe-guard jobs” and keep the club financially sound.

“The purpose is to collaborate to find a solution that is fair and equitable to everyone at the club and helps close the growing funding gap,” said a statement on the club’s website.

Aberdeen have followed Hibs in holding conversations with players and management, with Hearts having already put wage cuts in place.

Cormack said: “Throughout this challenging period, the board has pledged to do what it can to safe-guard jobs, protect those on lower incomes, ensure the economic viability of the Club and support the community outreach campaign through calls and food deliveries to those most in need.

“Our initial assumptions were that we’d get back to playing football in front of crowds in September. The reality is that we now face playing games behind closed doors and, perhaps, with limited crowds until at least January.

“We said right at the start of this that no club, not even one as financially robust as Aberdeen, could withstand a collapse of income that extended beyond September. Back playing in front of fans, hopefully in January 2021, will mean a ten-month period with limited income. The financial situation we therefore face is stark.

“I am confident that the board, management, staff and players will continue to pull together to do what’s best for the Club. Our goal remains to do everything we can to look after our people and continue to invest in the success of our Club on the field.”