Premier League stars under pressure to follow Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo examples and take pay cuts

Premier League players are coming under increasing pressure to follow the example of some of their fellow professionals at the biggest clubs in Europe and take a cut in salary during the coronavirus pandemic. UK politicians have started to weigh in on the issue while discussions are ongoing between the Premier League, Football League and the players' union. Premier League club chairmen are likely on Friday to push back further the date for a resumption of the season to the end of May as Britain struggles to stem the rise of coronavirus cases. Health Secretary Matt Hancock, whose department has come in for significant criticism over testing and preparedness to combat the pandemic, has been the most vocal government voice on the issue of financial gestures that should be made by highly-paid players. Asked on Thursday whether it was ethical for clubs to put non-playing staff on the government-funded furlough scheme, as Tottenham Hotspur, have done, Hancock said: "The first thing Premier League footballers can do is make a contribution, take a pay cut and play their part." The players have increasingly come under pressure after last year's beaten Champions League finalists Tottenham as well as Newcastle United put non-playing staff on the government-funded furlough scheme. It guarantees 80 per cent of salaries up to a maximum of £2,500 (Dh11,390) per month. The players' union, the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) - whose chief Gordon Taylor is the highest paid union official in the United Kingdom - issued a statement saying the clubs should pay the non-playing staff. "We are aware of the public sentiment that the players should pay non-playing staff's salaries," it read. "However, our current position is that - as businesses - if clubs can afford to pay their players and staff, they should. "Any use of the government's support schemes without genuine financial need is detrimental to the wider society." ________________ The money Messi and other Barca players are giving up ________________ Footballers, though, could feel they have been give a rough ride as many have been helping out in significant ways. Norwich's players, management and executives have donated £200,000 to help local people affected by the virus. Managers Eddie Howe and Graham Potter of Bournemouth and Brighton respectively have taken voluntary pay cuts this week. There appears to be growing public calls for Premier League players to emulate their fellow professionals across Europe and take voluntary salary reductions. The entire Barcelona squad, led by Lionel Messi , and their La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid agreed to 70 per cent reductions while the coronavirus crisis continues. The Juventus squad has also taken a cut and leading German clubs have paid into a fund to support struggling lower-league clubs.