Footballers deserve more respect in the Covid-19 crisis

EVEN when there’s no football on, footballers remain in the headlines. In the last week they’ve been asked to save their clubs, and they’ve even been encouraged to ‘play their part’ in helping the national effort in the UK to tackle the virus.

The latter request came from the Health Minister, Matt Hancock, after he was asked his view on several Premier League clubs deciding to furlough some non-playing staff so that the government would pay their wages.

Liverpool were the highest profile club to take that route but they swiftly reversed after their fans reacted in horror.

Other clubs though, with Newcastle and Spurs foremost among them, seem quite content to let the taxpayer pick up part of their wage bill.

I’m sure when the finance ministry launched the scheme to protect worker’s wages during the pandemic, they didn’t expect Premier League clubs to be at the head of the queue knocking on the door.

Let’s remember though that those making these decisions are club owners, boards, and CEOs; not footballers.

Separately, the Premier League asked players to take a 30% pay cut to ‘protect employment throughout the professional game.’ The players have refused to take such action collectively and are angered at the demands being made of them.

Wayne Rooney, though not currently playing in the Premier League, seemed to speak for many when he said: “Why are footballers suddenly the scapegoats? How the past few days have played out is a disgrace.”

He’s right and I can understand footballers being seriously unimpressed at the way they’ve been treated. Whatever you think of how much they earn, you can hardly blame them for accepting the contracts they’re offered. I’m pretty sure we all would.

And most Premier League players are well aware of the privileged position that they enjoy, especially financially. They start their own foundations, contribute to charities, and help out in their communities.

Last week many of those players launched a fund to support the health service in the UK. The #PlayersTogether initiative was spearheaded by Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson and is pooling (voluntary) contributions from his fellow high-earning pros.

Matt Hancock welcomed the move, calling it “big-hearted.” Most of the players couldn’t care less what he thinks and it’s clear they intended to make such a gesture before they became part of the political debate around the crisis.

Jose Mourinho also found himself scolded by a politician after having a short training session at a public park with a few of his players. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan was unimpressed and accused the Spurs boss of setting a bad example in not following government orders.

Mourinho was in the wrong; he accepted it and apologised. Previously he was seen delivering food packages to vulnerable members of the community.

Premier League players and managers are generally decent people who want to help and, yes, sometimes make mistakes.

They earn a lot more money than most people, but what does that make them responsible for? The future of their clubs? Providing vital equipment for healthcare workers on the frontline?

The latter is definitely not their responsibility though we can be thankful that footballers have donated funds.

Helping their clubs, and especially those workers who make much less money, is a more reasonable expectation.

Here too the players are stepping up. Every week footballers used to be applauded by millions as heroes. Now applause is rightly being given to doctors and nurses who have become the heroes of the hour.

And at the end of all this, we’ll be grateful for saved clubs as well as saved lives.

Craig Wilkie. Football Writer. Football Coach. Football Fan.

The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of The Star