SOME Southend United players would have taken an 80 per cent wage cut had they agreed to take furlough leave, Echosport understands.

Blues’ first team squad have rejected the club’s request to sign up to the Government scheme.

And football finance expert Kieran Maguire revealed the players are able to say no because of the contracts they have signed.

“The difference with a footballer is that they sign a fixed length contract,” said Maguire.

“You’ve got a known amount of wage for a known amount of time.

“If a club fails to pay those wages then they’re in breach of contract and the player can walk away for nothing.

“If you were on furlough at the newspaper you could try and find another job but the newspaper wouldn’t get a compensation fee or a transfer fee if you leave.

“But a football club is likely to have young players or players half way through a contract who other clubs might be interested in.

“If you put players on furlough and don’t top up their wages to their true amount then the club is in breach of contract and the player, in theory, could walk away.

“It would be equivalent to a Bosman.”

Furlough schemes see individuals receive 80 per cent of their wages from the Government but only up to the value of £2,500 a month.

Some Blues players are paid more than that a week and Maguire also confirmed the PFA have been telling their members not to accept furlough requests since the season was suspended.

“Lawyers are having a field day at present and the PFA are advising players to turn down pay cuts because they don’t trust the employers,” said Maguire.

“Whether or not the club top ups the full amount is at their discretion but failure to do so means the club would be in breach of contract.

“The whole aim is that people don’t come in to work.

“But it means they’re free to find other employment which would have severe implications on a club who had hoped to sell them for a transfer fee.”