English Premier League has announced that football clubs in the top division of the competition have unanimously agreed to discuss with their players to accept a 30% pay cut during this coronavirus outbreak in the world. It was earlier reported that British Health Secretary Matt Hancock has admonished football players in the country to contribute their own quota to the fight against the coronavirus that is currently rampaging the earth.
The Premier League announced that a financial contribution of about £20 million will be made to the National Health Service (NHS) and its staff members. Also, some part of the money will go to vulnerable people who are suffering the goriest experience of total lockdown order mandated by the government to stop the spread of coronavirus.
This was revealed through a statement released by the English Premier League. The statement reads:
“In the face of substantial and continuing losses for the 2019-20 season since the suspension of matches began, and to protect employees throughout the professional game, Premier League clubs unanimously agreed to consult their players regarding a combination of conditional reductions and deferrals amounting to 30 percent of total annual remuneration.
“In consultation with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport, the Premier League is immediately committing £20 million to support the NHS, communities, families and vulnerable groups during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“This includes a direct financial contribution to the NHS and funds to enable clubs to refocus their efforts and develop significant outreach programs to help communities, including those most in need.
“This funding will enable both immediate and longer-term support during the crisis.”
Meanwhile, it was earlier reported that Manchester United captain, Harry Maguire has asked his fellow teammates to donate 30% of their salary to National Health Service to combat the spread of coronavirus in the United Kingdom.
It is, however, worthy to know that the United Kingdom is fast becoming one of the countries that have been badly affected by the novel COVID-19. Within a few days, the figure of affected individuals has skyrocketed to 36,168 while about 3, 605 persons have died due to the virus. Reasonably, football clubs in the UK have joined forces with the government in the fight against coronavirus.
Quite a number of sportsmen in the country have been donating in money and kind in fight against the deadly pandemic. Tottenham Hotspur manager, Jose Mourinho donated and became a volunteer with Age UK to distribute relief materials to old people in Enfield, North London during this turbulent season the entire world is going through.