Millwall decide against furloughing players after concerns over training routines

Millwall have decided against furloughing their squad because players would be unable to follow club training programmes while on leave.

The Lions have furloughed almost all non-playing staff and were considering placing their first-team on the Government's taxpayer-funded scheme.

After assessing their options, they decided against the move, in part because furloughed employees are not allowed to work, which would leave the club unable to send players tailored fitness programmes or hold group training sessions via video link.

The Championship club are also conscious that employees cannot take annual leave while furloughed, with many players due five weeks' holiday, three of which must be concurrent, before the end of June.

The Government's Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme allows employers to claim 80 percent of wages for furloughed staff, up to £2,500 a month.

A number of Football League clubs, including Sunderland, Crewe and Coventry, have already furloughed their squads but could lose funding if players are found to be working while on leave.

While furloughed players are able to exercise in line with official Government guidelines on social distancing, they should not be follow instructions from employers, leaving clubs in a difficult position if they want to monitor the fitness of furloughed players.