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Newcastle become first Premier League club to 'put non-first team staff in furlough' as they feel the squeeze of coronavirus crisis... just days after owner Mike Ashley made grovelling apology over Sports Direct store gaffe

Newcastle have become the first Premier League club to put members of staff in 'furlough' as a result of thre coronavirus crisis.

Sport in the UK has ceased entirely as a result of the outbreak, with football clubs up and down the country now having to cope without their regular matchday income.

Clubs down the pyramid have been forced to lay staff off in a bid to survive, but this is the first time a club in the top flight have taken the measures to use the government's wage scheme.

According to the Daily Telegraph, staff at St James' Park were made aware of the club's decision by email first thing on Monday morning.