Pope hits out over Hancock player rap
TOM POPE says Matt Hancock should be more concerned about the mental health of EFL players than Premier League salaries.
And the Port Vale skipper reckons the Health Secretary would have been better off thinking of the welfare of all sportsmen and women rather than singling out Premier League stars for criticism.
League Two outfit Vale have furloughed players and staff but the club are also contributing so that employees are paid in full.
Not all have been so lucky, as clubs look to slash their costs with no revenue coming in.
Pope (below) says the Covid-19 pandemic means everyone is feeling the strain mentally.
“We’re better off than most because we’ve got an owner who cares so much about the staff,” he said.
“But other clubs are going to struggle. Macclesfield and Southend were finding it tough even before this.
“As a footballer you’re paid to train and play. When you can’t do that you’ve got a lot of spare time on your hands.
“You might do your fitness work but other than that you’re just trying to help out.
“I’ll do birthday calls to fans and that sort of thing.
“When you’ve nothing to train for mental health issues will rocket.
“This is a difficult time for everyone, stuck in the house 24/7 – and lots of people struggle with depression and anxiety.”
Health Secretary Hancock urged Premier League players to take a pay cut and ‘play their part’ last month. Pope, however, reckons the Conservative MP was out of line.
“The way that the government tried to force the issue was disgusting,” he said.
“Some Premier League players earn a lot of money but they also contribute towards the NHS through tax anyway and plenty of them help charities.
“They were a soft target and it was easy to call them out. Players would have got together and done something beneficial for the NHS anyway.”