As Serie A games remain suspended, Juventus star footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, among other players, has agreed to a deal to reduce his compensation amid the coronavirus pandemic that has brought sporting activities around the world to a grinding halt. The move is likely to save the club around 90 million euros for the 2019-20 financial year, as per reports.
The Italian club will cut players’ salaries for an amount equal to the monthly wages of March, April, May and June, it said in a statement.
Ronaldo, the highest-paid player in Serie A, will forego more than USD 11 million in wages. Coach Maurizio Sarri’s salary will also be cut, and the deal will be finalised within a few weeks.
“(The club) reached an understanding with the players and the coach of the first team regarding their compensation for the residual portion of the current sport season.
“Should the current season’s matches be rescheduled, the club will negotiate in good faith with the players and the coach conditional increases of compensations according to the actual resumption and finalisation of official competitions,” the statement said.
It further thanked the players and the coach for “their commitment at a difficult time for everyone”.
Juventus’ Daniele Rugani, Blaise Matuidi and Paulo Dybala have tested positive for COVID-19. Other players and staff have opted for self-isolation and are being observed.
The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on sporting calendars across the world. It has claimed over 10,000 lives in Italy alone, with more cases being reported. Over 30,000 people worldwide have died from the deadly virus.
