I thought of that at the time.
Maybe something has been said behind closed doors that means they don't get a title and the season won't happen.
So they have decided sod it , and changed their decision to pay the staff as a childish almost reaction to not getting the title
I don't even think thats it's mate, I think they've seen the way of saving a few quid (at the taxpayers expense) and rolled with it - to hell with the negative press. They can quite easily pay out of their own budget, but if someone else is offering then why not? Regardless off negative publicity... the saved £4m can go towards a midfielder when the transfer window opens.