Inter President Steven Zhang is facing a backlash from the players as he tries to impose further salary deferrals and the removal of bonuses, in an effort to combat financial uncertainty.
As reported in today’s newspaper edition of Corriere dello Sport, the Nerazzurri and owners Suning are seeking investment or a loan to cover debts and this has led to plans to reduce costs across the club.
Zhang is determined to bring the size of the squad and staff down in order to lower the wage bill, whilst he is seeking to defer up to two months’ worth of salaries for players and repay them over the next two years.
It comes after wages for November and December were deferred until this month and payments from last summer were held back until March.
Bonuses for winning the Scudetto this season have also been targeted, with the President urging his squad to consider the financial impact on the club and forego any incentives they were due.
However, this has been met by anger from the team and they are unwilling to give up wages or bonuses agreed within their respective contracts.
The players are thought to be particularly frustrated at being continually asked for maximum effort whilst costs are cut around them, and also for the lack of a collective agreement on foregoing bonuses.
