These are difficult times for everyone. The coronavirus pandemic has sent a large portion of the world indoors, and that has greatly affected those who are not in a position to fend for themselves.
Food, medicine and other amenities are some of the basic needs that are currently beyond many across the world. Even well-prepared countries are struggling to withstand the pressure exerted by the virus.
During these tough times, many current and former players have made sizeable contributions to charities and relief work across the world.
Some have gone a step further and are out on the field, trying to reduce the burden of those on the forefront of the battle against the virus.
Here we look at some current and former players who are doing their bit to make the lives of those around them a little easier.
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Clubs introduce pay cuts
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Lionel Messi and his Barcelona teammates have agreed to take a pay cut as have Barcelona's basketball first team. AFP -
Juventus announced that all first-team players and manager Maurizio Sarri would take a one-third pay cut for the next four months. EPA -
Atletico Madrid confirmed that the first team and staff would be taking pay cuts to help the club continue to pay other workers during the lockdown. AFP -
Espanyol announced pay cuts for sporting staff, including the men's and women's first team, reserve teams and Under-19s. EPA -
Borussia Monchengladbach players have taken a wage cut after the players offered to forgo wages to help other workers at the club. "The team has offered to forgo salary if it can help the club and the employees," the club's managing director Stephan Schippers said. EPA -
Borussia Dortmund confirmed that the first team will "waive part of their salaries", the club announced. AP Photo -
Bayern Munich announced that the first team football squad would take a 20 per cent pay cut. Getty Images -
Union Berlin announced that their first team squad would go entirely without wages, although there was no timescale for how long. Reuters
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Heather Knight
England women’s cricket team captain Heather Knight is among those who have have signed up for the volunteer scheme of the UK’s national health service (NHS).
"I have a lot of free time on my hands and I want to help as much as I can," Knight wrote in her column for the BBC.
"My brother and his partner are doctors, and I have a few friends who work in the NHS, so I know how hard they are working and how difficult it is for everyone.
"I'm going to get the car out as I've volunteered to transport medicine, and also speak to people who are self-isolating."
Shahid Afridi
Pakistan star cricketer Shahid Afridi has devoted a big part of his life to charity through the Shahid Afridi Foundation. With the pandemic expected to inflict considerable damage in the underprivileged parts of South Asia, Afridi has taken it upon himself to provide relief. Afridi, 40, has been donating food, disinfectants, masks and other amenities to those who need it the most in Pakistan.
Joginder Sharma
Here is a name quite a few cricket fans may have forgotten. Former India all-rounder Joginder Sharma bowled the famous last over of the inaugural World T20 in 2007, which the men in blue won. His days on the cricket field are long behind him. Now he is part of the police force in the northern Indian state of Haryana. As part of his duty, Sharma patrols the streets and helps those who need to buy essentials.
"Our duty time starts around 6am. We do our patrolling, making people aware, and helping those in need of essentials or medical aid," Sharma told the Press Trust of India.
Gagan Ajit Singh
Another former player turned policeman. The former India field hockey star is a member of Punjab police and his duty now includes distributing essential items to the needy in his state.
