FOOTBALL ASSOCIATIONS ANNOUNCE INITIATIVES TO FIGHT CORONAVIRUS CRISIS

                 The Premier League Players have launched a collective initiative to help generate funds for the National Health Service and distribute them where they are needed most, the initiative named Players Together has been set up to help those fighting for us on the NHS front line amid the Coronavirus pandemic. The plan is separate to any other club and league conversations and is designed to get money into the hands of those who need it most, the statement released on Wednesday posted by more than 150 top flight players on social media, they said they were collaborating together to create a voluntary initiative, separate to any other league and club conversation, to try and help along with so many others in the country, to make a real difference. After there has been much discussion over how Premier League Players can best help fight the Coronavirus, which has caused more than 7,000 deaths in the UK thus far according to government figures, the Premier League confirmed last week that its clubs agreed to consult with their players over a 30% reduction in salary, a proposal that was not popular with a host of players. Many, including Wayne Rooney, believed that a targeted donation would be more effective than players reducing their wages, which would ultimately give money back to clubs. Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has been in talks with other club captains recent days, looking to create a fund that would help those who need it most and such a fund has now been introduced, with the Players Together initiative set up to help those fighting for us on the NHS front line, over the course of the last week, the English Players Association donated to the fund 1.5 million Pounds, while the players make personal donations, in addition to part of their monthly salaries, the funds aims to raise 4 million Euros and to use this money to fight coronavirus pandemic. The initiative has partnered with NHS Charities Together, Health Secretary Matt Hancock warmly welcomed the big decision, he said players should take a pay cut and play their part. Former England captain and Match of the Day presenter Gary Linker tweeted he "was proud of our players, footballers are doing their bit as i was confident they would, let's hope that others that are in a position to help, those that weren't unfairly targeted do likewise" The chief executive of NHS Charities Together thanked the players for their fantastic initiative, Ellie Orton said, It sends an amazing message of support to the NHS staff and volunteers working so tirelessly to  save lives. Manchester United and England forward Marcus Rashford said to BT Sport it had been tough to get to this stage, I think there has been plenty of occasions, for me personally, where we've tried to help but we've not helped in the best way possible. you can get some backlash from that, we wanted to take our time with the decision. When Premier League clubs are struggling for its program this season, Southampton become the first club in England has made the decision to reduce and postpone salaries, players, managers and coaches agreed to give up part of their salary for a period of 3 months, after receiving legal advice that clubs shouldn't apply any decision to cut salaries without their consent.
In France, Paris Saint-Germain club stars are ready to cut their salaries to help for the consequences of Coronavirus crisis, Le Parisien newspaper said that it is a comprehensive agreement that the Football League and the Football Association will work on the decision to cut the salary by 50% includes players whose monthly wages exceed 100 thousand Euros, as for those whose salaries are between 50 thousand Euros per month, their salaries may be reduced by a maximum of 40% and those whose salaries range between 20 thousand Euros, their salaries will be reduces to 30%. The deduction rate is up to 20% for those whose wages are between 10 thousand and 20 thousand Euros, those whose salaries are less than that will not be covered by deductions, this decision will allow each player to accept or decline but it prevents clubs from imposing greater discounts than announced on players. According to the newspaper PSG stars agreed to what was agreed upon, which would be a model for other players and clubs, because the French club has the highest paid players in the French league.