Al Ahly to pay players’ salaries in full for four months despite COVID-19
Players and staff of Egyptian club Al Ahly are set to be paid their full wages from April to July despite the suspension of the current season due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In March, the Egyptian Football Association suspended all football activities, including matches across all divisions, due to COVID-19.
The club said on Twitter that it will pay the entire amount despite an earlier meeting with its players regarding pay cuts. However, following a review of the club’s financial situation, the club reversed its decision.
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“We will pay the entire salaries of employees and workers at the club so they can fulfill their needs and commitments in these hard circumstances, especially with the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan,” the club said on Twitter.
Al Ahly is set to buck the trend in Egyptian football where a number of clubs, like Arab Contractors and Al Ittihad, have already effected cuts in players’ salaries to mitigate the effects of the pandemic.
The club’s board is optimistic that it can shoulder the expenses in the short term and will re-assess the situation after this period (July).
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Al Ahly, Africa’s most successful club, currently has a broadcast and sponsorship rights deal with domestic agency Presentation Sports which is worth an estimated $22.46 million. The deal, which is claimed to be a record agreement for the Arab and African football markets, runs until 2021.
Al Ahly currently tops the table in the current season 16 points ahead of second-placed Arab Contractors and 17 points ahead of Pyramids F.C. in third.
