Professional Footballers' Association

The Professional Footballers' Association accepts players must "share the financial burden" during the coronavirus pandemic after Health Secretary Matt Hancock called on soccer tips betting page.

Clubs from the Premier League to Sky Bet League Two have already placed non-playing staff on furlough leave under the Government's coronavirus job retention scheme but pressure is mounting on players to accept wage cuts or deferrals.

After Hancock weighed into the debate during Thursday's daily government briefing lớn urge top-flight professionals lớn "make a contribution, take a pay cut and play their part" while the season is suspended, the PFA accepted players must be accommodating in order to mitigate the financial impact of the Covid-19 outbreak.

The players' union said in a statement: "We fully accept that players will have lớn be flexible and share the financial burden of the Covid-19 outbreak in order lớn secure the long-term future of their own club and indeed the wider game.

"Our advice going out to players at this point reflects that expectation."

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe and his Brighton counterpart Graham Potter have agreed to wage cuts in the last two days, along with other senior staff at those clubs, while players and management staff at Championship leaders Leeds have agreed to defer wages. You can prefer the soccer today page!

But some Premier League clubs have made use of the furloughing scheme - including Tottenham in a move criticised by their former player Gary Lineker - and the PFA added that clubs should only be doing so if it is absolutely necessary.

The statement added: "We are aware of the public sentiment that the players should pay non-playing staff's salaries. However, our current position is that - as businesses - if clubs can afford to pay their players and staff, they should.

"The players we have spoken to recognise that the non-playing staff are a vital part of their club and they do not want lớn see club staff furloughed unfairly.

"Any use of the government's support schemes without genuine financial need is detrimental to the wider society."

Former Manchester United and England defender Gary Neville scolded Hancock for his remarks, writing on Twitter: "I wish I was a player for 10 more mins. The PL players are more than likely working on a proposal lớn help clubs, communities and The NHS.

"It takes longer than 2 weeks lớn put together. Matt Hancock calling them out when he can't get tests in place for NHS staff is a f@@@@@g cheek!"

Hancock's comments came on the same day chair of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee Julian Knight wrote to Premier League chief executive Richard Masters calling for action on player wages.

Knight said that clubs which furlough non-playing staff but do not impose cuts on player wages should be subjected lớn a windfall tax if they do not change approach by next Tuesday, April 7.

"The purpose of the coronavirus job retention scheme is not lớn support the economics of Premier League clubs," Knight wrote.

"Your organisation should be role modelling a responsible approach rather than tolerating divisive practices.

"European clubs, including Bayern Munich, Juventus and Barcelona, have shown that it is possible lớn reach an agreement with players whereby they agree to take pay reductions for a set period. I would like lớn request that the PL seek to broker an agreement between member clubs to change their approach."