Premier League footballers should 'play their part' in coronavirus fight by taking pay cuts, says Matt Hancock

UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock has joined calls for Premier League footballers to accept wage cuts during the coronavirus crisis.

The decision of several clubs this week to furlough non-playing staff using the Government’s coronavirus job retention scheme while not reducing player salaries has provoked a fierce backlash.

Earlier on Thursday, MP Julian Knight, chair of the Department of Culture, Media and Sport select committee, wrote to Chancellor Rishi Sunak demanding that Premier League clubs "do the right thing by Tuesday next week or face the consequences" and urging sanctions against those that continue to pursue a "two-tier system".

Responding to a question on the matter later on Thursday during the UK's daily coronavirus update, Mr Hancock insisted that top-flight players must "play their part" in the fight against Covid-19 by taking salary reductions.

"I think that everybody needs to play their part in this national effort and that means Premier League footballers too," he said.

"Given the sacrifices that many people are making, including some of my colleagues in the NHS who have made the ultimate sacrifice of going into work and have caught the disease and have sadly died, I think the first thing that Premier League footballers can do is make a contribution, take a pay cut and play their part."

On Wednesday night, a joint statement from the Premier League, EFL, PFA and LMA revealed that no decision had yet been reached regarding matters such as footballers' wages, but that further talks would place over the next 48 hours following "constructive" initial discussions held via video link.

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