Adelaide United’s union delegate Stefan Mauk says players must be responsible as clubs fight for survival during COVID-19 crisis

With the future of the 2019/20 A-League season in serious doubt due to the coronavirus spread, Adelaide United players’ union delegate Stefan Mauk says his teammates must prepare to have their wages slashed if necessary.

Adelaide United in training. Picture: Tait Schmaal

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Taking a pay cut is a thought entering the mind of Adelaide United’s players’ union delegate Stefan Mauk as the coronavirus pandemic is forcing mass unemployment across the globe.

Mauk spoke prior to French Ligue 1 union chief Bernard Caiazzo telling francebleu on Monday more than half its competition’s clubs could face bankruptcy because of the pandemic.

“Nobody has said anything about it (pay cuts at Adelaide), it's one of those situations where it's not inevitable, but if it comes up we have to be responsible about it,’’ Mauk said.

“No-one wants that and somebody has to be at a loss.

“Us as players, now, are in a position to do that; to benefit the club down the track, that's something we might have to do.

“(For now) I think everyone is keen on getting the 120th-game for the season done and the (next) season doesn't start until October.”

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Adelaide United’s Riley McGree at training at Elizabeth on Monday. Picture: Tait Schmaal

Adelaide United coach Gertjan Verbeek at training. Picture: Tait Schmaal

Former Adelaide United left back Ben Garuccio is already feeling the fiscal brunt of the pandemic.

His Scottish club Heart of Midlothian last week announced emergency wage cuts of 50 per cent to players and staff salaries from April 1.

Garuccio, 24, is understood to be flying to Adelaide as the Scottish Premier League was postponed until at least April.

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Adelaide United coach Gertjan Verbeek refuses to concede Reds season is done after another heavy defeat at Hindmarsh

Lachlan Brook breaks free from the pack during the Reds’ training session on Monday. Picture: Tait Schmaal

Adelaide returned to its Elizabeth training centre, led by coach Gertjan Verbeek, on Monday after a three-day break following last weekend’s bye.

The side had been told to prepare to face Melbourne City at AAMI Park on Friday night.

Striker Kristian Opseth and attacking midfielder Riley McGree were undergoing a light training session under the supervision of a Reds physio.

Verbeek then oversaw an 11 versus 11 match, which included all players, except McGree, from the Reds’ 0-3 loss to Newcastle Jets at Hindmarsh Stadium on March 15.

Ben Halloran was also part of the action after missing the past three matches through illness and injury.

Originally published as Adelaide United’s union delegate Stefan Mauk says players must be responsible as clubs fight for survival during COVID-19 crisis