Newcastle owner Mike Ashley is set to become the first Premier League owner to hand his staff a compulsory leave as the effects of the coronavirus pandemic continue to bite.
Reports from SunSport indicate that all non-first team staff are set to be axed from payroll barely three weeks into the coronavirus pandemic which has rendered the football world crippled.
An official email from Managing director Lee Charnleyhas been sent to staff requesting them to apply to the government's coronavirus job retention scheme.
Doing so would allow majority of workers to claim up to 80% of their wages.
Man United star Ighalo makes big statement to fans amid Coronovirus pandemic The move is set to adversely affect academy coaches and scouts, while players and first team coaches remain safe, for now.
The Newcastle chief spoke on the incident where he justified the move as a very necessary one since Newcastle, like every other Premier League club, were incurring heavy losses due to lack of home matches.
It is estimated the Newcastle has lost at least £1m in home tickets since the cancellation of matches in early March.
Notably, the coronavirus and its economical effects come at a time Mike Ashley was listening to bids as he sought to sell the club.
Based on how things are panning out, the billionaire may be forced to lower his asking price as a Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund has expressed genuine interest in a takeover
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