Premier League English

Jordan Henderson held talks with the Premier League captains to set up COVID-19 fund

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson came with the idea of establishing a charitable fund and have held talks with the rest of captains of Premier League clubs during the coronavirus crisis.

The talk took place shortly before the Premier League announced it would ask players to take a 30% pay cut in order to protect jobs.

During the call, Premier League captains discussed wage deferrals or cuts, or a move to help fund a charitable cause.

They also discussed ongoing talks involving the Professional Footballers’ Association, the players’ union.

It is understood players are in advanced talks to set up a collective fund which will offer a “seriously significant” amount, with the NHS that will be the main beneficiary.

This comes after Premier League players were criticised by the UK government for not playing their part after some clubs asked an unpaid leave for non-playing staff but not at players’ wages.

In the Premier League, Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy, who earned £7m last year, is one of those to give up a fifth of their earnings and called the others to “do their bit for the football eco-system”.

But Palace player Andros Townsend was unhappy with the criticism.

“Football is trying to do a lot of good. To wake up yesterday and see footballers being painted as villains was a bit of a surprise.

“The health secretary, deflecting blame on to footballers: I don’t think that is right. His job is the responsibility of NHS workers. NHS workers have been underpaid for years.”