Premier League footballers have launched a collective initiative called #PlayersTogether to support the NHS during the coronavirus outbreak.
The initiative will partner with NHS Charities Together, the umbrella organisation which covers over 150 separate NHS charities, and will “assist them in generating and distributing funds quickly and efficiently” to help fight the pandemic.
A statement said the project was born out of “extensive conversations between a huge number of players from all Premier League clubs”.
Players from all 20 top flight teams shared posts on social media to unveil the initiative on Monday night,
The statement said: “Over the course of the last week we, as a group of Premier League players, have held numerous talks together with the vision of creating a contribution fund that can be used to distribute money to where it is needed most in this COVID19 crisis; helping those fighting for us on the NHS frontline, as well as other key areas of need.
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“The contributions that this initiative will generate will help NHSCT quickly grant funds to the front line to support in a number of ways, including to 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.”
Last week, the health secretary Matt Hancock sparked a row by singling out Premier League footballers and calling for them to “play their part” by taking a pay-cut.
The Premier League suggested a 30 per cent blanket wage deferral across all top-flight players, but the idea was rejected by the PFA, who warned the proposal would cost the government £200million in tax contributions.
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson was understood to be leading a discussion among captains about how players could best support the NHS themselves.
“#PlayersTogether is about we, as players, collaborating together to create a voluntary initiative, separate to any other club and league conversations, that can help get much needed funds to those that need it right now. To try and help, along with so many others in the country, make a real difference.”
