MATT LE TISSIER hailed Southampton as they became the first Premier League club to delay players’ wages.
Saints’ first team have agreed a ten per cent wage deferral for April, May and June, while boss Ralph Hasenhuttl and his staff will delay up to 30 per cent of their pay for that time.
Club legend Le Tissier is volunteering at a local food centre.
He tweeted: “Incredibly proud of the way all areas of the club are pulling together to help not just the staff but our community, too. Well done all.”
The Saints took matters into their own hands as the PFA continue to dither in their talks for a blanket approach across the sport.
The club’s board of directors have also taken a deferral until June.
Saints will NOT use the Government’s Job Retention Scheme, so will not furlough staff as the likes of Tottenham and Newcastle have done.
And a club statement said the delays were “to help protect the future of the club, the staff that work within it and the community we serve”.
It added: “Our owners, Mr Gao and Katharina Liebherr, have put measures in place to ensure all staff not deferring part of their salaries will continue to receive 100 per cent of their pay, paid in the normal way until June 30.
“Any decision on the future beyond this date will be made in advance of this, when more information is known.
“We are dealing with many challenges to our business model and day-to-day operations.
“The situation is ever-evolving and we will continue to monitor and assess the impact to the club before deciding any further action.”
Other Premier League teams may now follow in Saints’ footsteps.
But it is by no means guaranteed, with each club facing different financial challenges.
