MADRID, Spain (AFP) —Real Madrid players have agreed to cut their salaries by as much as a fifth, the La Liga club announced yesterday, as Spanish football remains on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In a statement, Real said players and coaches from the side’s football and basketball teams, as well as key directors, had voluntarily agreed to the reduction, of either 10 or 20 per cent, “depending on the circumstances that may affect the closing of the current 2019/20 sports season”.

Real didn’t say what circumstances would affect the rate of salary cut, but Spanish media reported players will receive 10 per cent less if the season is completed and 20 per cent less if the current campaign is terminated.

The cuts will shave between 28 million and 56 million euros ($30.4 million and $60.8 million) off Real’s salary bill.

It also means the club has avoided using the partial unemployment (ERTE) scheme that cut Barcelona and Atletico Madrid players’ salaries by 70 per cent.

La Liga has recommended clubs take advantage of the scheme, and both Sevilla and Espanyol have also put in a request to be included on the ERTE scheme.

Over 14,000 people have died from COVID-19 in Spain, the second worst hit country from the virus after Italy, with 146,690 registered cases.