Roo: Why scapegoat players?
WAYNE ROONEY has claimed it is a “disgrace” the way footballers have been demonised by politicians and the Premier League.
Rooney launched a blistering attack on health chief Matt Hancock and league bosses for trying to publicly shame players when they were already in deep discussions about setting up their own charity.
The former England captain, now at Derby, said: “How the past few days have played out is a disgrace. First the Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, in his daily update on coronavirus, said that Premier League players should take a pay cut.
“Why was the pay of footballers even in his head?
“Was he desperate to divert attention from his Government’s handling of this pandemic?
“The Premier League then announced it was looking for its players to give up or defer wages by 30 per cent. This despite owners and the Premier League board knowing players were already deep in discussion about their contribution.
“It seemed strange to me because every other decision in this process has been kept behind closed doors, but this had to be announced publicly.
“Why? It feels as if it’s to shame the players — to force them into a corner where they have to pick up the bill for lost revenue.”
And Rooney added that he is glad to contribute but not every player is in his position.
He said: “If the Government approached me to help support nurses financially or buy ventilators I’d be proud to do so.
“But I’m not every player. I’m 34, I’ve had a long career and I’ve earned well. Not every footballer is in the same position.
“Yet suddenly the whole profession has been put on the spot with a demand for 30 per cent pay cuts across the board. Why are footballers suddenly the scapegoats?”