Hearts to suspend wages if players refuse 50% cut

Hearts owner Ann Budge has written a letter to the club’s players warning them their wages will be suspended from March 31 if they do not accept a 50 per cent wage cut amid the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.

Hearts are set to miss out on £1m of income next month following the suspension of Scottish football and Budge has warned the club will not survive a six-month shutdown without implementing cuts.

The Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) advised clubs on Friday that they have the power to halt contracts through the use of Clause 12, which can be triggered if the Scottish Football Association suspends football.

Budge says she makes “no apology” for asking the club’s players to take wage cuts, adding that a number of players are still reviewing their personal situations.

Hearts striker Steven Naismith has accepted the pay decrease, while manager Daniel Stendel agreed to work for free during the period.

More to follow…