Report: Ligue 1 stars face 50% pay cut during hiatus

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As part of a larger effort in Ligue 1 to curb the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic, top earners like Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar will be asked to sacrifice 50% of their wages, sources told ESPN's Jonathan Johnson.

France's National Union of Professional Football Players (UNFP) and the Ministry of Economy and Finance reportedly agreed to recommend that professional footballers should reduce their salaries during the work stoppage.

Under the provision, players who earn at least €100,000 in a given month, like Neymar, would take a 50% pay cut. Those earning €50,000-€100,000 would take a 40% hit, those on €20,000-€50,000 would take 30%, and those making €10,000-€20,000 would take a 20% cut. Those earning less than €10,000 per month would be exempt.

Ligue 1 is facing a financial crisis, with sponsors and broadcasters freezing payments that were otherwise due to be received. Canal Plus, which televises top-flight matches in France, announced last month it's holding back a scheduled €110-million payment - the equivalent of 15% of total broadcast money for the season.