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EXCLUSIVE: Southampton hold talks to avoid furloughing non-playing staff during coronavirus pandemic as Premier League club bid to safeguard their financial future

Southampton were locked in talks to avoid the controversial step of furloughing staff on Tuesday.

A host of Premier League clubs have taken the contentious move of using the Government's Job Retention Scheme, which entitles them to 80 per cent of an employees salary up to £2,500 a month.

Those decisions have sparked huge criticism due to the widely held belief that state money is not meant for multi-million pound companies such as Premier League football clubs.

Southampton owner Gao Jisheng has held talks to try and avoid furloughing non-playing staff

Southampton owner Gao Jisheng has held talks to try and avoid furloughing non-playing staff

WHAT IS THE GOVERNMENT'S FURLOUGH SCHEME?