Middlesbrough follow Sunderland and Newcastle and furlough number of non-playing staff

The exact number of staff that will be stood down with immediate effect has not been released.

Football clubs have seen their income drop with no gate receipts or commercial revenue so Boro, like Sunderland and Newcastle United already have, are taking advantage of the government scheme announced last week to subsidise wages as the health crisis escalates across the country.

Those staff affected at the Riverside Stadium and Rockliffe training ground were informed on Wednesday.

It does not impact the first team squad, Jonathan Woodgate or his coaching staff.

The government-backed job retention programme pays employees 80% of their wages while they are on furlough.

Boro staff who have been put on furlough will receive the remaining 20% of their wages from the club, the Mail has been told, so no employee will lose out on any money.

Meanwhile, senior representatives from the PFA, Premier League, EFL and LMA shared a "constructive" meeting over some of the big issues facing football – though talks will drag into the next 48-hours.

Topics being discussed included the issue of player wages and possible deferrals and the resumption of the current season.

A joint statement read: “Senior representatives from the PFA, Premier League, EFL and LMA met today and shared a constructive meeting regarding the challenges facing the game as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The meeting reiterated that the overriding priority is the health and well-being of the nation - including that of players, coaches, managers, club staff and supporters – and everyone agreed football must only return when it is safe and appropriate to do so.

“No decisions were taken today with discussions set to continue in the next 48 hours with a focus on several high-profile matters, including player wages and the resumption of the 2019/20 season.”

All football is currently suspended until April 30 but that date is expected to be extended further as a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

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