Daniel Levy reversed Tottenham’s furlough decision out of self-preservation

Yesterday Tottenham reversed its original decision to furlough their non-playing staff, ensuring all 550 employees will get paid their full salaries through the end of May. 

To the delight of Tottenham faith worldwide, the pressure supporters put on Daniel Levy finally paid off. It took almost two weeks for the chairman to follow in Liverpool’s footsteps and reverse the original, sinister decision. It took Liverpool only two days to reverse the decision, but at least Tottenham reached the ethically and morally correct decision in the end.

It will, however, take a lot more than the rescinded decision to gain back supporters’ trust, if ever he truly had it in the first place. Clearly Levy flip-flopped on the decision more out of self-preservation than because it was the right thing to do. Had he remained steadfast and not reversed the highly controversial choice to furlough his staff, Levy would have alienated forever large swathes of Spurs’ faithful.

But at least, even though it took almost two weeks, he finally capitulated, listening to the compelling and widespread feedback from aggrieved fans. His stubbornness prevailed for the better part of two weeks before his survival instinct kicked in.

Tottenham supporters should be extremely proud for the perseverance and determination they showed in convincing Levy to do the right thing. Solidarity is an incredibly powerful force, its persuasive influence changing even the most callous chairman’s mind.

We got there in the end. And now it’s up to Levy to show Tottenham faithful he made the right decision because he cares about his people, not purely due to the ramifications had he not flip-flopped.

He’s got a long way to go to heal the gaping wound the last two weeks has created with most Tottenham supporters.