With lower league clubs facing a cash-flow crisis due to the coronavirus outbreak, the top-flight teams voted to make an advance of 125 million pounds ($153.13 million) to the Football League (EFL) and National League sides. The EFL, which consists of the 72 professional clubs in the three divisions below the Premier League, said the cash they would receive from the top flight included early solidarity payments, parachute payments and Academy Grants. The league said its clubs "unanimously agreed to consult their players regarding a combination of conditional reductions and deferrals amounting to 30 percent of total annual remuneration". The Premier League said it was "committing 20 million pounds to support the NHS (National Health Service), communities, families and vulnerable groups during the COVID-19 pandemic. England defender Maguire was among the 20 Premier League captains who took part in a call on Thursday evening to discuss a collective response and donation with plans now expected to be developed.

Source: bd News24 April 04, 2020 06:22 UTC