Premier League Update
This week the Premier League Shareholders have been locked in talks regarding the next steps in reacting to the COVID-19 global pandemic.
Today, they released a statement (below) that as well effectively putting the league in limbo until further noticed, showed that talks had addressed the notion of having highly-paid Premier League players contribute to help cover the wages of their non-playing teammates.
This comes after reports of several clubs going cap in hand to the tax payer to take advantage of the government’s 80% furlough offering.
Surely such tax payer funds would be better off going to fund more frontline activity such as the NHS?
Grealish Redemption
When you look at the disrespect that Villa’s captain Jack Grealish recently showed the NHS, after not practising what he preached, after recording a social media video telling viewers to stay home to support the NHS, there’s a chance for instant redemption if he visibly led Villa players taking such a temporary pay cut to help others at the club, as MOMS suggested in the latest MOMS podcast.
As we saw with Grealish’s behaviour earlier in the week, actions speak louder than words, so such a move would only work in his favour, along with the rest of the Villa playing squad, in terms of showing solidarity.
The Football Supporters’ Association also would welcome Premier League players on their vast wages (who currently have little value to society during the pandemic) to step forward and help their clubs out and show a bit of community spirit.
In a recent statement, FSA Chair Malcolm Clarke stated:
“We congratulate those in football, ranging from Eddie Howe to Lionel Messi and his teammates, who have taken a voluntary pay cut to help their communities at this time of crisis.
“We hope that other highly paid and rich owners, executives, and players follow their example.
“This would not only improve the image of the game but, much more importantly, would provide real support for those who need it at this challenging time.
“That is football in the community in a very real sense.”
The Premier League’s latest statement is as follows:
Premier League Statement
First and foremost, it was reaffirmed that the overriding priority is to aid the health and wellbeing of the nation and our communities, including players, coaches, managers, club staff and supporters.
Season restart
It was acknowledged that the Premier League will not resume at the beginning of May – and that the 2019/20 season will only return when it is safe and appropriate to do so.
The restart date is under constant review with all stakeholders, as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic develops and we work together through this very challenging time.
The Premier League is working closely with the whole of professional football in this country, as well as with the Government, public agencies and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the game achieves a collaborative solution.
With this, there is a combined objective for all remaining domestic league and cup matches to be played, enabling us to maintain the integrity of each competition.
However, any return to play will only be with the full support of Government and when medical guidance allows.
The sporting and financial implications for Premier League clubs as well as for The FA, EFL and National League were considered at today’s meeting.
Consulting players
In the face of substantial and continuing losses for the 2019/20 season since the suspension of matches began, and to protect employment throughout the professional game, Premier League clubs unanimously agreed to consult their players regarding a combination of conditional reductions and deferrals amounting to 30 per cent of total annual remuneration.
This guidance will be kept under constant review as circumstances change.
The League will be in regular contact with the PFA, and the union and the LMA will join a meeting which will be held tomorrow between the League, players and club representatives.
Solidarity with clubs below PL
Discussions also took place regarding financial relief for clubs in the short term and while there is no single solution, measures are to be put in place to immediately deal with the impact of falling cash flow.
Critically, the League unanimously voted to advance funds of £125 million to the EFL and National League as it is aware of the severe difficulties clubs throughout the football pyramid are suffering at this time.
Supporting NHS
Further to that assistance, the League remains committed to supporting the National Health Service, its staff and helping people in communities, not least those who are most vulnerable.
The League, clubs, players and managers express huge appreciation for the heroic efforts of NHS staff and all other key workers who are carrying out critical jobs in such difficult circumstances.
In consultation with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, the Premier League is immediately committing £20 million to support the NHS, communities, families and vulnerable groups during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This includes a direct financial contribution to the NHS and funds to enable clubs to refocus their efforts and develop significant outreach programmes to help communities, including those most in need.
This funding will enable both immediate and longer-term support during the crisis.
Clubs supporting communities
In response to COVID-19, Premier League clubs have been supporting tens of thousands of people in their communities each and every day through targeted activity including donations to foodbanks, telephone calls to the elderly, food parcels delivered to the vulnerable and a wide range of free resources to support wellbeing and education.
Many Premier League clubs are also working closely with their local NHS Trusts to provide valuable support through the provision of resources, volunteers and facilities.
Now, more than ever, clubs are playing a vital role to support the wellbeing of those in their communities and alleviate pressure on critical health services.
Promoting public health messages
Working closely with the Department of Health and Social Care, Public Health England and the NHS, the wide reach and appeal of the Premier League and our clubs will continue to be used to promote important public health messaging throughout this crisis.
The Premier League would like to reiterate that the thoughts of all our clubs are with all those directly affected by COVID-19.
UTV
I’d hope that all the Prem-players do this! Not sure why Liverpool furloughed some of their staff: surely Mr. Henry and a few players could muster up funds to keep staff on board? UTV.
Totally agree that PL players should take a pay cut in order that non playing staff should be able to have their full wage throughout the shutdown period. Darren Bent was spot on, how can players on vulgar weekly wages sleep at night knowing that normal working men and women totally committed to their club are struggling to make ends meet whilst their heroes sit at home in their mansions complete with all the state of the art facilities. I believe that our players who are known for their social involvement in local communities would willingly agree to this idea which would also be helping state funds to go to needy courses. Come on you Villains show us that we are not wrong and lead by example. UTV for ever.