Inter are free to agree salary deferrals with their players if they need, the president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has confirmed.
Steven Zhang has reportedly asked the Nerazzurri’s first-team squad to give up two months’ wages in order to ease the club’s financial problems.
If Inter do not agree something with their players then they must pay the outstanding installments before the FIGC’s deadline on May 30, or they risk being kicked out of Serie A.
FIGC president Gabriele Gravina explained on Wednesday (as reported by Calcio e Finanza): “Anyone who thinks I can intervene and stop the parties reaching an agreement is seriously mistaken.
“However, we must draw a line and understand what it means to have made commitments (paying salaries) which must be respected before the end of the sporting season.”
Inter’s players are widely expected to reject Zhang’s proposal for salary cuts, but they are potentially open to renegotiating their contracts and deferring some installments into next season.
“The civil code allows for private negotiations like this,” Gravina assured.
“If the two parties announce an agreement, this can’t be banned by the world of football.”
Inter have been battling serious financial problems since the start of 2021 and uncertainty reigns over the future of the club, with owners Suning yet to clarify their plans for the Nerazzurri.