Premier League stars link up to help NHS
Premier League footballers have come together to create a ‘‘collective initiative’’ to raise funds for Britain’s National Health Service during the coronavirus pandemic.
The #PlayersTogether initiative has been set up to ‘‘help those fighting for us on the NHS frontline’’ during the Covid-19 crisis that has gripped the country and has partnered with NHS Charities Together (NHSCT).
It comes amid fierce criticism that England’s top-flight stars after a proposed 30 per cent pay cut to ease the financial burden on clubs was rejected by their union, the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), on the grounds that the
British government would lose out on more than £200 million (NZ$417 million) in tax.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who had led calls for footballers to make a contribution to the health service, ‘‘warmly welcomed’’ the ‘‘big-hearted decision’’.
A statement about the initiative was shared by more than 150 Premier League players on social media, including England captain Harry Kane and Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson, and said: ‘‘We can confirm that after extensive conversations between a huge number of players from all Premier League clubs we have created our own collective player initiative, #PlayersTogether.
‘‘We have partnered with NHS Charities Together (NHSCT) in order to assist them in generating and distributing funds quickly and efficiently to where they are needed most.
‘‘Over the course of the last week we, as a group of Premier League players, have held numerous talks together with the vision of creating a contribution fund that can be used to distribute money to where it’s needed most in this Covid-19 crisis; helping those fighting for us on the NHS frontline as well as other key areas of need.
‘‘This is a critical time for our country and for our NHS, and we are determined to help in any way that we can.’’
The footballers’ gesture was widely praised on social media, with former England striker Gary Lineker saying he was ‘‘proud of our players’’.
‘‘Footballers are doing their bit as I was confident they would,’’ he wrote on Twitter.
‘‘Let’s hope that others that are in a position to help, those that weren’t unfairly targeted, do likewise.’’
NHS Charities Together chief executive Ellie Orton also thanked the footballers for their ‘‘fantastic’’ initiative.
‘‘It sends an amazing message of support to the NHS staff and volunteers working so tirelessly to save lives,’’ she said.
The level of contributions has not been announced but the players insisted the plan would help ‘‘quickly grant funds to the NHS frontline’’.
Manchester United and England striker Marcus Rashford said the players ‘‘wanted to take our time with the decision’’ despite pressure from the government.