Aberdeen Football Club has begun conversations with management, staff and players to explain the need to now make temporary wage cuts. The purpose is to collaborate to find a solution that is fair and equitable to everyone at the Club and helps close the growing funding gap.

Dave Cormack, chairman of AFC, said: “Throughout this challenging period, the board has pledged to do what it can to safe-guard jobs, protect those on lower incomes, ensure the economic viability of the Club and support the community outreach campaign through calls and food deliveries to those most in need.

“Our initial assumptions were that we’d get back to playing football in front of crowds in September. The reality is that we now face playing games behind closed doors and, perhaps, with limited crowds until at least January.

“We said right at the start of this that no club, not even one as financially robust as Aberdeen, could withstand a collapse of income that extended beyond September. Back playing in front of fans, hopefully in January 2021, will mean a ten-month period with limited income. The financial situation we therefore face is stark.

“I am confident that the board, management, staff and players will continue to pull together to do what’s best for the Club. Our goal remains to do everything we can to look after our people and continue to invest in the success of our Club on the field.”