Leeds players face 30% wage cut

Leeds United players could be asked to agree a 30 per cent wage deferral amid fears of impending financial meltdown.

The struggling club, who are £80million in debt, have just four days to find a saviour or will become the first Premiership side to call in administrators.

While acting chairman Trevor Birch searches for new investment, players this week met representatives of the Professional Footballers' Association, who made them aware of the severity of the situation.

Gordon Taylor, the PFA chief executive, confirmed a wage deferral was one option being considered, adding: "The players were very responsive, they want to hold the club together."

The PFA have in the past stepped in to pay salaries at clubs with financial problems, but Taylor claimed Leeds' wage bill is too large to contemplate such a gesture.

He said: "We have not paid the wage bill of any club at the level of Leeds. We cannot offer the club a loan. The levels we are talking about, it would be impossible."

The players could instead be forced to accept a delay in payment of a chunk of their salaries, until the crisis has eased.

Leeds sources today indicated the club need a minimum of £5m to survive until the end of the season and buy some breathing space from the American bondholders who are the major creditors.

The alternative to outside investment is player sales, with Paul Robinson and Alan Smith set to be first out the door.

Tottenham is a possible destination for £2m-rated goalkeeper Robinson.

Birch still hopes to avoid a fire-sale and that former director Allan Leighton - or a credible separate consortium - will put together a £20m rescue package.

The Leeds board have set a deadline of next Monday to secure new funding and the mood at Elland Road is far less bullish than it was before Christmas.

One informed observer said: "The picture is looking bleak."

Potential investors are thought to be concerned by the very real prospect of relegation. Eddie Gray's side were woeful against Spurs last Saturday and are now five points away from safety.

Income would fall £20m in Division One, resulting in the break-up of the squad.

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