Hancock wrong to brand us ‘villains’ storms Townsend
ANDROS Townsend has hit back at Health Secretary Matt Hancock, saying: “Don’t paint footballers as villains.”
Hancock piled the pressure on the Premier League’s multi-millionaire players on Thursday by demanding they “take a pay cut and play their part”.
But Crystal Palace winger Townsend said: “The Health Secretary, deflecting blame on to footballers – I don’t think that is right. His job is responsibility [for] NHS workers.
“Football is trying to do a lot of good.To see footballers being painted as villains was a bit of a surprise to be honest.
“I have never been more proud to be a footballer. Since this crisis started, to see the work that the players and clubs have done in the community.
“At Palace, we have helped out the homeless, donated to local charities. Individual players are thinking about ways they can help.
“I’m involved in a campaign, Football United, raising money for the emergency trust. Marcus Rashford has helped feed over 400,000 school children in Manchester.”
With the Professional Footballers’ Association locked in talks about possible wage cuts or deferrals, Townsend claims players agree it is time they contributed.
He added: “We do have a responsibility but we are giving back to the community and rightly so. The community effectively pay our wages.At a time like this we need to give back.
“If the players end up agreeing to a pay cut or deferral and a few days later the PFA find out that these clubs can continue to pay non-playing staff and are choosing not to, then who benefits? “The NHS are not benefiting, these heroes are not benefiting.”