More Bundesliga teams waive part of wages during virus crisis

By Frank Kastner, dpa
Leipzig, Germany (dpa) – RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen, Mainz and Hoffenheim players on Wednesday became the latest in the Bundesliga to waive parts of their salaries during the coronavirus crisis.

Leipzig players are giving up a double-digit percentage of their wages to safeguard club employees while no football is played due to the pandemic.

Bundesliga clubs including Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich had previously taken similar measures, as have the likes of Juventus and Barcelona.

“As a team we want to make our contribution. Many people are losing their jobs these days or have to work part time. We as a team are of course happy that this is not necessary at RB Leipzig so far and we want to contribute to keeping it that way,” captain Willi Orban said in a statement.

The Red Bull-backed Bundesliga club have followed Red Bull Salzburg in making the gesture.

“In the current situation, this is a good and important sign for our team. It shows that in these times we are standing together closely as a club to deal with this critical phase together,” said sporting director Markus Kroesche.

The Bundesliga is on hiatus until at least April 30 because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Leverkusen captain Lars Bender said his team were also giving up part of their salaries.

“We players want to make a contribution to ensuring that no employee has to worry. That’s what we want to do, and we’re happy to do it,” he said.

Part of the wages of Hoffenheim players will go to a fund for local sports clubs and companies which depend on the Bundesliga side.

As well as cutting player wages, Mainz said a planned pre-season tour to the United States has been scrapped.