Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata urges unity in coronavirus battle as Common Goal launch response fund

Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata has urged football players and leaders across the globe to unite in a bid to help tackle the coronavirus crisis.

Mata is the co-founder of Common Goal, a charitable movement formed in 2017 whose members pledge 1 per cent of their earnings to projects that help people all over the world.

On Wednesday, the organisation announced the formation of a Covid-19 response fund to help vulnerable communities affected by the outbreak.

Common Goal say the allocation of the fund will look at tackling the "immediate effects of the crisis" but also supporting people in the aftermath, with an emphasis on "disadvantaged young people in deprived communities and in humanitarian and conflict settings".

Mata, along with Bayern Munich's Serge Gnabry, will also begin hosting a 90-minute Common Goal Live Match on his official Instagram account - with half in English and the other half in Spanish three days later - on Thursday (April 9) to engage with fans and a football-based community organisation being supported by Common Goal in addition to a medical expert.

“It's been heartening to see so many positive responses from players and football leaders to the current crisis, but it can be hard to know what to do to really help those who need it most,” Mata said.

“We are suffering a stark reminder of how interdependent we all are. To overcome Coronavirus, and the other challenges facing humanity, we need to coordinate individual efforts and work together as a team.

“I'm urging not only my Common Goal teammates, but all other players and football leaders from around the world to unite and help tackle this crisis.

“Together we can beat this, and at the same time turn this crisis into a catalyst to tackle other challenges humanity is facing which are only being heightened by the impact of the pandemic and require a collective strategy.”

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