TWENTY TO GIVE IT PLENTY

PREMIER LEAGUE players are just days away from launching their own huge charity foundation.

The 20 club captains have unanimously agreed to set up one central fund which will be organised and run by the Professional Footballers’ Association to raise money for those affected by the coronavirus crisis.

Donations will go towards:

■■THE welfare of every employee at their own club to make sure they are not financially disadvantaged by the crisis

■■COMMUNITY groups, like those who provide food for underprivileged kids.

■■NHS charities to provide staff with funds and equipment.

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has played a key role in the talks, impressing others with his leadership and authority. Mirror Sport revealed last week that Manchester United captain Harry Maguire (above) had asked his team-mates for donations, suggesting 30 per cent of their wages, but they will now join up with the PFA scheme.

Various agents and organisations have come together to help the players organise the scheme and set up bank accounts.

Highly respected Michelle Farrer, who was formerly at the Football Association, is now player-care manager at the Premier League and has been able to make the necessary connections but it will be set up and run by the players themselves.

However, while the charity has been organised because of the coronavirus crisis, the players have also discussed making it a permanent arrangement.

That would be on top of the various community and charity projects that many Premier League stars already support.