Premier League players have agreed to voluntarily contribute to a fund for the benefit of the NHS during the COVID pandemic crisis.
Tonight’s announcement comes after several days when football clubs and Premier League players were in the political spotlight as they came under pressure to accept wage cuts in light of increasingly grim news.
Premier League players tweeted out the statement in a co-ordinated joint statement on social media under the #PlayersTogether hashtag.
The players confirmed that they would contribute to a fund and would partner with NHS Charities Together (NHSCT) to help them generate and distribute funds quickly and efficiently to where they are needed most.
NHSCT are the official charity partner of the NHS nationally.
The statement added: “The contributions that this initiative will generate will help NHSCT quickly grant funds to the front line to support in a number of ways.
The funds will “help enhance the well-being of NHS Staff, volunteers, and patients impacted by COVID-19 as well as helping them in their work supporting many other critical areas of need both now and in the longer term.
The statement concluded: “Our prayers and thoughts go out to everybody affected by this crisis.
“By sticking together, we will get through this.”
Manchester clubs do their bit during COVID-19 Pandemic crisis
Some football clubs have already been criticised for applying for payments from the government furlough scheme for non playing staff.
Manchester United and Manchester City got together to donate £100,000 between them to food banks in Greater Manchester.
Both clubs also pledged to protect the earnings of their casual match day workers and not place any of their staff on furlough, with United chairman Ed Woodward saying:
“We rely on our outstanding staff to deliver an exceptional service and experience to fans at Old Trafford.”