BREAKING NEWS: Premier League players speak out to say clubs could offer ‘far more’ to NHS and charitable causes and claim proposed wage cuts would see £200m in tax lost
- PFA have issued statement calling for clubs to do more amid coronavirus crisis
- Premier League proposed £20m donation plus measures including wage cut
- Statement claimed a 30 per cent wage cut would cost £200million in lost taxes
Premier League players have called on their clubs can do ‘far more’ to support the NHS and charitable causes amid the coronavirus crisis that has shut down sport in a statement released by the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA).
The Premier League proposed on Friday to raise £20million to charitable causes, advancing £125million to support clubs in the EFL and National League and a 30 per cent salary cut/deferral across 12 months for Premier League players.
The statement welcomed the initial moves but also stated it wanted to ensure the players’ contributions would support clubs, non-playing staff for full wages, EFL and non-league teams and the NHS and key workers during the pandemic.
Premier League players have pledged to support clubs and non-playing staff amid coronavirus
The statement said: ‘All Premier League players want to, and will, play their part in making significant financial contributions in these unprecedented times.
‘All Premier League players fully appreciate their role and responsibilities in society during this current crisis. They care deeply for those who are suffering with loss, health and hardship at the moment.’
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson had been in talks with fellow Premier League captains
The statement added: ‘We cannot stress enough that football is in this together. Solidarity and putting aside any self-interest is paramount.
‘£20m us welcome but we believe it could be far bigger.
‘The EFL money is an advance. Importantly, it will aid cashflow in the immediate, but football needs to find a way to increase funding to the EFL and non-league clubs in the long-term.
‘Many clubs require an increase in funding just to survive. We believe in our football pyramid and again stress the need for solidarity between all clubs.
‘Going forward, we are working together to find a solution which will be continually reviewed in order to assess the circumstance of the COVID-19 crisis.
‘The players are mindful that as PAYE employees, the combined tax on their salaries is a significant contribution to funding essential public services – which are especially critical at this time. Taking a 30% salary deduction will cost the Exchequer substantial sums. This would be detrimental to our NHS and other government-funded services.
‘The proposed 30% salary deduction over a 12-month period equates to over £500m in wage reductions and a loss in tax contributions of over £200m to the government.
What effect does this loss of earning to the government mean for the NHS? Was this considered in the Premier League proposal and did the Health Secretary, Matt Hancock factor this in when asking players to take a salary cut?
‘We welcomed the opportunity to discuss this with the Premier League today and we are happy to continue talks.’