Hearts reach temporary salary agreement with players

Hearts say they have reached an agreement on temporary salary changes with their entire playing squad.

The Tynecastle club said the agreement is essential to help manage the impact of Covid-19 on Scottish football.

All football in Scotland was postponed on March 13, while the SPFL has since ended the seasons of the Championship, League One and League Two.

In a statement, Hearts said: “This commitment from all of our players, backroom team and off-field staff, which will help to maintain the long-term sustainability of the club, is hugely appreciated and we thank everyone for their continued support.

“The majority of the squad are on furlough leave, with a couple of exceptions due to ongoing treatment for injury, and will continue to maintain their fitness at home,” the statement added.

Hearts had asked all staff to take a 50% pay cut from the start of April until football starts again.

However, Hearts chair Ann Budge has said that no employee would be asked to take a cut that would place them below the annual Living Wage of £18,135.

Striker Steven Naismith said in March he would accept a 50% wage cut to help the Tynecastle club’s finances and save jobs.

The Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) board has the right to make a decision on bringing the Premiership season to an end but is consulting with clubs before making a final decision.

The SPFL board is also consulting on possible league restructuring in time for season 2020/21 around an expanded Premiership model and has appointed Budge and Hamilton Academical chair Les Gray to jointly lead a reconstruction taskforce.

Amid continuing uncertainty over which division Hearts will be playing in next season, the club also said it is “enormously grateful” to the more than 2,000 supporters who have already renewed their season tickets.