Football’s own goal

Lineker shames greedy stars by giving £160k for virus fight

GARY Lineker last night announced he will donate nearly £160,000 from his BBC salary to the British Red Cross as millionaire Premier League players faced growing calls to accept pay cuts.

The move by the Beeb’s top earner piled pressure on stars who are continuing to rake in huge salaries while playing no matches because of the coronavirus crisis.

Match of the Day host Lineker, 59, who pocketed £1.75million in 2018-19, is donating two months of his salary after tax – estimated at £158,000 – to the British Red Cross as it helps tackle the effects of the pandemic.

In a call that appeared to shame top-earning players, he said that other wealthy people should follow his lead. The gesture came as Premier League stars were last night urged to take a pay cut during the crisis by Health Secretary Matt Hancock and another leading Tory MP called for a windfall tax on clubs if no action is taken.

Lineker told the BBC: ‘I have made the decision myself. It has taken a bit of time to work out what to do with my...BBC salary so I have decided that I am going to donate two months. I’m taking the salary, but I’m going to donate two months’ net salary to the British

Red Cross, who are on the frontline trying to help in all sorts of different ways with the coronavirus. And, hopefully, lots of other people that are in a position of relative wealth can do something similar. And I am sure many will.

‘And if they would like to follow suit with me that would be great.’

British Red Cross chief Mike Adamson, said: ‘Gary’s generous donation will help ensure that we can help those who may otherwise fall through the gap during this crisis.’

Mr Hancock said a football pay cut was the right thing to do at a time when others are making huge sacrifices. He insisted: ‘Everybody needs to play their part in this effort and that means Premier League footballers too.’ He said some NHS staff had given their lives and stressed: ‘I think the first thing Premier League footballers can do is make a contribution, take a pay cut and play their part.’

Tory MP Julian Knight said clubs should face a windfall tax unless they tackle the ‘obscene situation’ of players continuing to be paid fortunes during the crisis. Professional football in England has been suspended with some clubs putting non-playing staff on leave.