Wigan Athletic players and staff 'will be paid'

Many have been on the government's furlough scheme during the coronavirus pandemic.

Paul Stanley, one of the joint administrators of Begbies Traynor, admits there may be some disruption but said: "All the staff furloughed, the money has come from the government and is sat in the bank, and will be paid.

"The players have to be paid, because they're football debts for the club to be sold. "There is some money in the bank. We're trying to liaise with the PFA and the league... yes they will be paid, but it may not be today."

Prospective buyers are invited to contact the administrators. A confidentiality agreement must be signed and proof of funds received before talks take place.

And Stanley is confident a buyer will come forward to take ownership of Wigan Athletic.

"The key thing is we can get to the end of the season. I'm very confident we can do that, barring a disaster," he said.

"That's the will of everyone at the club, the EFL, the PFA. Everyone is making the right noises. That gives us until the end of the month.

"In that time I think buyers will come forward. The timetable will be dictated more by the work the purchasers need to do. It's getting someone acceptable to the club and EFL, who do the 'fit and proper' person."