OXFORD City have said they will pay players their full wage during periods of injury, in light of controversial contract changes made by the Football Association.
New conditions due to come in on July 1 will see injured players in the Vanarama National League only paid in full for 12 weeks.
If they are injured longer than four months, clubs will be able to reduce their wages to statutory sick pay of £99.35 a week and payable for 28 weeks.
For those playing below the fifth tier, players will get their full wage for six weeks.
READ AGAIN: Oxford City boss hits out at controversial FA contract changes
The Hoops have released a statement on the matter, confirming injured players will be paid in full for the duration of their contract.
The statement read: “After last week’s announcement regarding changes to non-league player contracts signed after July 1, we would like to clarify our position on the matter.
“As a club, we would like to reaffirm our commitment to paying our players their full wage throughout their contract, regardless of any long-term injury or illness.
“Yesterday the club held a meeting with our first team squad and players were made aware of all proposed changes to non-league contracts and our continued support to them, both on and off of the pitch.
“We understand the reasoning behind the changes to contracts, as some new clauses are mandatory in UK employment law.
“However, it is up to individual clubs to decide optional clauses to implement when they sign players next season.”
Last week, head coach Ross Jenkins hit out at the controversial contract changes.
“They put their bodies on the line as players and I think if that changes, then the whole dynamics of football will change,” he said.
“In terms of the aggression, the tackles, the competing. I think if a player knows ‘if I go into a bad tackle and I get a bad injury, I’m not going to get paid throughout my whole contract’, I think it might turn your mentality a little bit, and we don’t want that in football at all.
“It’s important that we address it quickly, I’m sure the league will, I’m sure the players’ union will stand up and question what’s been put out there.
“But on the flip side, it does reinforce the urgency for players to protect themselves as well, and to go and get that insurance policy to protect them.
“It’s important we protect ourselves and make sure that the game is played at a high tempo and make sure there’s no doubts around getting a long-term injury.”