Wayne Rooney on Premier League pay cut: Former England captain hits out at government for pressure on players

Rooney launched a staunch defence of his profession in his Sunday Times column, questioning both the government and Premier League for seemingly taking aim at players as easy targets during the coronavirus crisis.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock initially hit out at players and calling on them to take a pay cut, followed by the Premier League openly suggesting players then take a 30 percent cut or deferral in wages to help out in the situation.

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The Professional Footballers' Association have warned about several issues, including that of millions of lost cash in the form of tax from players taking a pay cut, as the football world fails to find an unified approach.

Rooney, who says he would happily contribute if asked, has seen enough from both government and Premier League chiefs to slam both for their handling of the situation.

"If the government approached me to help support nurses financially or buy ventilators I'd be proud to do so - as long as I knew where the money was going," Rooney in the Sunday Times.

"I'm in a position where I could give something up. Not every footballer is in the same position. Yet suddenly the whole profession has been put on the spot with a demand for 30 per cent pay cuts across the board. Why are footballers suddenly the scapegoats?

"How the past few days have played out is a disgrace. First the Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, said that Premier League players should take a pay cut. He was supposed to be giving the nation the latest on the biggest crisis we've faced in our lifetimes. Why was the pay of footballers even in his head? Was he desperate to divert attention from his government's handling of this pandemic?"

Why make pay cut plans public?

"It seemed strange to me because every other decision in this process has been kept behind closed doors, but this had to be announced publicly," Rooney added. "Why? It feels as if it's to shame the players - to force them into a corner where they have to pick up the bill for lost revenue.

"In my opinion it is now a no-win situation. Whatever way you look at it, we're easy targets."

The PFA said its members were resolved to playing their part but warned that a projected 30 per cent salary reduction would cost the country £200million in lost tax receipts.

Meanwhile, a handful of top-flight clubs, including last year's Champions League finalists Liverpool and Tottenham, have opted to furlough non-playing staff using the safety net of the government's job retention scheme.

Neville hits out at crisis plans

Assessing the landscape on Sunday morning Rooney's former England and Manchester United team-mate Gary Neville, now one of the game's leading broadcast voices, was highly critical of the Premier League.

"The PL are handling the CV (coronavirus) crisis terribly," he wrote on Twitter, before outlining a checklist of perceived mis-steps.

"- slow to lockdown/tried one last weekend of games - furloughing straight away a PR disaster - turning on players publicly/trying to blindside them - no increase in funding for EFL/Non League - all stakeholders unhappy with their approach.

"Football has too many stakeholders with different interests. They all meet regularly/say they collaborate but when the "s**t hits the fan" the PL have the power and go solo! It's unravelling before our eyes. A re-alignment for all clubs, fans and the game would be welcome."

A PFA statement released on Saturday following the conference call read: "The players are mindful that as PAYE employees, the combined tax on their salaries is a significant contribution to funding essential public services - which are especially critical at this time.

"Taking a 30 per cent salary deduction will cost the Exchequer substantial sums. This would be detrimental to our NHS and other government-funded services. The proposed 30 per cent salary deduction over a 12-month period equates to over £500m in wage reductions and a loss in tax contributions of over £200m to the government."

Oliver Dowden, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, revealed he was concerned about the way the talks had progressed.

He tweeted: "Concerned about the turn football talks have taken tonight. People do not want to see infighting in our national sport at a time of crisis.

"Football must play its part to show that the sport understands the pressures its lower paid staff, communities and fans face."

England manager Gareth Southgate has reportedly agreed to a 30 per cent pay cut, although the Football Association refused to comment when asked by the PA news agency on Saturday night.

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