May 10 – Newly crowned Italian champions Inter Milan have asked their players to freeze two months of wages to head off a financial crisis.
Last week Inter won the Scudetto for the first time in 11 years, ending Juventus’ dominance of the domestic game and their nine-season Serie A winning streak. But, Inter, despite their title win are struggling with debt and a Chinese owner that was forced to fold its Chinese Super League championship winning team – Jiangsu Suning – as the holding company’s business became challenged.
Inter club chairman Steven Zhang (pictured) has reportedly addressed the squad directly, and has committed to paying bonuses for winning the Serie A.
Before the Sampdoria match CEO Beppe Marotta told Sky Sport Italia: “I can confirm that talks with individual players will start next week to discuss with the players the issues of football in general and of Inter in the light of the pandemic that has created so many problems.
“In the meantime, I confirm that the bonuses will be respected and paid out because they are the result of a well-deserved achievement by the entire technical team. It is right that the club recognises it. For the rest, it is a snapshot of where football is at the moment.”
Last season, Inter recorded losses of €100 million. Freezing wages would save the club about €25 million. Last week, current director Javier Zanetti acknowledged that the club has “serious financial problems”.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1714084876labto1714084876ofdlr1714084876owedi1714084876sni@o1714084876fni1714084876