SuperSport United CEO Stan Matthews believes that players in the PSL will not be able to handle a pay reduction like European superstars who are financially secure, adding that PSL players’ budgets are based on their salaries.

Clubs across Europe and indeed the world are looking at different ways of combating the financial devastation caused by the ongoing coronavirus epidemic, with many of them deciding to cut their highly paid superstars’ massive salaries in order to pay non-playing staff and keep the clubs afloat.

In South Africa, though, many of the clubs rely on monthly grants received and while PSL chairperson Irvin Khoza has said the clubs will receive those this month, he feels it will not carry on indefinitely should the suspension of the league continue.

Matthews, speaking to SunSport, warns that the players in the league will be placed in a massive predicament should they be forced into pay cuts.

‘A salary cut in the PSL is a big no. Our players cannot afford that like Lionel Messi of Barcelona, or other big-name players in Europe,’ said Matthews.

‘Our players’ budget is based on their salaries. There are players who earn big salaries, while others get a much-lesser pay. They pay rates and taxes, school fees and buy groceries as most of them are breadwinners.

‘If we cut their salaries, it will lead to a tremendous cash-flow problem and increase the high level of borrowing cash from loan sharks and banks and this will bring huge stress to many households in the country.

‘We have not discussed salary cuts. It’s the bridge that we don’t want to cross. We will tackle the situation if it deteriorates.

‘Many players in those big European leagues earn big salaries while PSL players don’t earn that kind of money, which is enough for them to afford salary cuts.’