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Hibernian warn of cuts due to "unsustainable strain" caused by coronavirus

Hibernian warn of cuts due to
© Reuters
Staff and players had already agreed wage deferrals of 20-50 per cent.

Hibernian have warned of cuts amid "substantial and unsustainable strain" on their finances.

The Scottish Premiership club have begun a consultation process with staff as they adapt to the "havoc" the coronavirus pandemic has wreaked.

Hibs announced on April 3 that senior staff and players had agreed to wage deferrals of 20-50 per cent but Jack Ross and his squad could now be asked to take lasting cuts.

The Edinburgh side have told fans that "difficult choices must be considered to reduce costs to protect the future of Hibernian".

A statement added: "We are today embarking on a process of consultation with our people over proposals to find cost reductions.

"This is no different from any other business in this economy, many of which have already taken steps to protect their future. We must all recognise that the club must be financially sustainable.

"With no clear end in sight and a full return to football in stadia full of supporters likely to be in 2021, there has been, and there will continue to be, a substantial and unsustainable strain on the club's finances.

"We forecast that our revenues will be halved in 2020-21 and we anticipate a significant loss for the current season that was cut short in March, despite the support shown by fans so far.

"That is the reality we face, and the continued uncertainty and restrictions mean our current cost structure is not sustainable."

Hibernian fans at Easter Road
Hibernian fans at Easter Road (Jeff Holmes/PA)

Hibs have sold about 8,500 season tickets but social-distancing rules will have a major impact on gate receipts.

Chairman Ronald Gordon said: "We're all excited that football is returning – but it will be behind closed doors, with likely limited attendance as a next phase.

"That means we continue to endure limited revenue opportunities for the foreseeable future. Therefore, several initiatives, activities and services at our club need to be paused or scaled back until it is safe, permissible and financially prudent for us to resume activity.

"We must now focus our limited resources on our core business – and that is supporting our first team to deliver success on the pitch."

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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic220085275884
2RangersRangers220078255381
3Hearts20114637963
4Kilmarnock20114438652
5St Mirren21014246-446
6Dundee20024659-1341
Relegation Group
1Hibernian21014854-642
2Aberdeen22003749-1241
3Motherwell21015053-340
4Ross County21013459-2533
5St Johnstone20022550-2531
RLivingston21012563-3821
 
First Phase
1Celtic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
RLivingston3339212259-3718


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