Premier League's restart date pushed back, 30% wage deferrals discussed

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The Premier League announced Friday it won't resume play as planned at the beginning of May, but it made funding available to charities and lower-level clubs to support those the coronavirus pandemic has hit hardest.

Matches will only resume once "it is safe and appropriate to do so," the Premier League said in a statement.

Premier League clubs and officials met Friday to discuss solutions for the work stoppage. Clubs agreed to consult their players regarding a 30% drop in wages, and the league advanced £125 million in funding to help teams in the English Football League and National League.

The Premier League also voted to donate an additional £20 million to the National Health Service (NHS), communities, families, and vulnerable groups.

Players were asked to accept either a reduction in wages or a deferral a day after Britain's health secretary, Matt Hancock, urged them to "play their part" in the fight against COVID-19.

Earlier on Friday, reports emerged that Manchester United captain Harry Maguire had campaigned for his teammates to donate 30% of their wages to local hospitals. A source told Reuters' Simon Evans that the captains of all 20 Premier League sides held a call Thursday to brainstorm charitable efforts.

A handful of clubs, including Tottenham Hotspur, drew criticism for placing employees on gardening leave and using government funds to subsidize their salaries.

But it appears the Premier League is now taking a more unified stance toward emergency measures. It forwarded £125 million to teams in the lower tiers after acknowledging "the severe difficulties clubs throughout the football pyramid are suffering at this time."