BREAKING: Liverpool FC reverse furlough decision and release OFFICIAL STATEMENT

Liverpool FC have released an official statement, admitting the decision to use the government furlough scheme the pay the non-playing staff was wrong and have apologised to fans.  Official letter from club’s CEO Peter Moore says (via Liverpoolfc.com): “First and foremost on behalf of our ownership, Fenway Sports Group, we would like to emphasise the thoughts and concerns of everyone are with those suffering from the dreadful COVID-19 pandemic and the families of those affected.” “We would also recognise and pay tribute to the heroism of the incredible health service and key workers locally, nationally and internationally. All other worries should be placed in that context first. “Allowing for perspective in these unprecedented and harrowing times, it is important to address an issue we, as an organisation, have been involved in since the weekend. “We have consulted with a range of key stakeholders as part of a process aimed at achieving the best possible outcome for all concerned. A range of possible scenarios were considered, including but not restricted to: applying to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, which pays 80 per cent of salary and guaranteeing the 20 per cent payment; applying to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme with a guarantee to reimburse monies received at a later date; and, thirdly, finding an alternative means to cover our furlough costs. “It is as a direct result of this extensive consultation and our own internal deliberations at various levels throughout the club that we have opted to find alternative means despite our eligibility to apply for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. “We believe we came to the wrong conclusion last week to announce that we intended to apply to the Coronavirus Retention Scheme and furlough staff due to the suspension of the Premier League football calendar, and are truly sorry for that.”

#LFC chief executive officer Peter Moore has issued the following letter to supporters. https://t.co/QB30hZJX9T

— Liverpool FC (at 🏠) (@LFC) April 6, 2020

Earlier, Merseyside club have decided to put the non-playing staff on furlough and pay 20 % of the salary, while the other 80 % would have been paid by the government.  The decision has been criticised publicly by fans and former LFC legends, including Kenny Dalglish, Dietmar Hamann and Jamie Carragher.

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