Al Hilal players volunteer 50 per cent salary cut amid coronavirus pandemic

Saudi giants confirm reduction until competition returns

Bafetimbi Gomis (R) fights for the ball with Urawa's Daisuke Suzuki during the second leg of the AFC Champions League final at Saitama Stadium in Saitama. AFP

Supporters of the Urawa Reds football team sing and wave banners before the start of the second leg. AFP

Supporters of the Saudi football team Al Hilal wait for the start of the second leg. AFP

Al Hilal's Abdullah Otayf (L) reacts as Urawa's Ewerton (2nd R) speaks to the referee. AFP

Al Hilal's Salman Al Faraj (top) falls after a challenge by Urawa's Takuya Iwanami. AFP

Al Hilal's Abdullah Otayf in action. AFP

Al Hilal’s players have launched an initiative to reduce their salaries by half during the suspension of football amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Saudi Arabian giants, the reigning Asian champions, announced the news early on Monday. The Saudi Pro League was suspended last month, 22 rounds into the season, with Hilal leading the standings by six points from champions Al Nassr.

The Riyadh club, 15-time domestic champions, confirmed their first-team players had decided to forgo 50 per cent of their monthly wages until competition returns.

“The initiative came in an effort by the players and the coaching and administration staffs to enable the club to avoid any expected economic impacts resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic,” read a statement on the club’s social media accounts.

“The club board of directors have praised the initiative of Al Hilal first-team members, which reflects their sense of responsibility and their solidarity with their club in all circumstances.”

One of the most popular clubs on the continent, Hilal won the Asian Champions League last November to end a 19-year wait for the title.

Earlier this month, star striker Bafetimbi Gomis, top scorer in last season's tournament, called on Saudis to follow the government's advice and stay at home.

On Sunday, the confirmed number of coronavirus cases in the Kingdom passed 4,400. The death toll from the pandemic rose by seven to 59.