Borussia Monchengladbach players to defer wages during coronavirus shutdown

Borussia Monchengladbach players, coaches and directors have agreed to defer their wages in order to help the Bundesliga club and their employees.

The Deutsche Fussball Liga postponed all matches in the Bundesliga until at least April 2 last week amid the coronavirus pandemic.

And to alleviate financial worries for employees at the club, who sit fourth in the table, players have agreed to go without pay during the outbreak.

In an interview on Monchengladbach’s official website, sporting director Max Eberl revealed he spoke to the players on Tuesday about the situation and that they were unanimous in their decision.

Eberl said: “I didn’t have to explain much. The players know what’s going on. The team has offered to forego salary if it can help the club and its employees.

“I am very proud of the boys. Clear signal: We stand together for Borussia, in good times and in bad. They want to give something back to Borussia and also to all the fans who support us.

“The coaching staff joined in, just like our directors and managing directors. These are difficult times and they require special measures.”

Gladbach managing director Stephan Schippers also indicated that DFL would be tempted to play matches behind closed doors to ensure the season is completed.

“The goal is for Borussia Monchengladbach to survive this corona crisis and to do that without having to give notice of termination to anyone. In order to achieve this we will all have to work hard together,” Schippers said.

“We are experiencing the most difficult situation since 1999 in the Bundesliga and also at Borussia Monchengladbach. We have to say this openly. We expect loss of revenue due to game cancellations, lack of viewer revenue, possibly lost TV revenue and lack of sponsorship money.

“In order to avoid a huge financial hit, the efforts of the league and all clubs are currently aimed at ending the current season in order to secure TV revenue and sponsorship money.

“Bundesliga football without fans is not what we want. But for the next few weeks and months we have to realise that only a continuation of the Bundesliga games – without spectators – will allow many clubs to survive economically.”