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Marcelo Bielsa, Leeds United agree wage cut amid coronavirus outbreak

Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa has agreed to take a wage deferral along with the playing and coaching staff amid the coronavirus outbreak, the club announced on Thursday.

The decision will ensure that the Championship club can continue to pay all non-football staff for the "foreseeable future."

A club statement read: "Leeds United can confirm that the players, coaching staff and senior management team have volunteered to take a wage deferral for the foreseeable future to ensure that all non-football staff at Elland Road and Thorp Arch can be paid and the integrity of the business can be maintained during these uncertain times.

"The lack of fixtures, cancellation of events, impact on ancillary revenue and closure of the football financing market will cost the club several million pounds each month.

"Following a regular catch up between chief executive Angus Kinnear, director of football Victor Orta and several senior players, the decision was made by the squad to defer part of their own salaries to ensure that the club can continue to pay all 272 members of full-time staff and the majority of casual staff for the coming months."

Leeds have been rewarded for their sportsmanship in the past with the club receiving FIFA's Fair Play award last year for allowing Aston Villa to score a goal after a contentious opener.

Bundesliga clubs Borussia Dortmund and Borussia Monchengladbach have also said players will forego part of their salaries to ease the financial pressure amid the coronavirus crisis, while sources have told ESPN that Barcelona players have rejected a proposal to have their wages significantly reduced.

Barcelona captain Lionel Messi and Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola also made donations worth €1 million to help overburdened health care systems deal with the coronavirus pandemic.

All English football has been suspended until April 30 with the season extended "indefinitely" in an effort to play the campaign to a conclusion.