Former Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis has called on football clubs to play a role in the community in the coronavirus pandemic.
Gazidis left the London side in 2018 to join current club AC Milan.
And the South African posted a video message telling clubs to act responsibly as the Rossoneri owners donated $100k to a hospital in the Italian city.
Gazidis' comments come as the news broke that European champions - and English Premier League champions-elect - Liverpool would be using government funds to furlough staff.
Jurgen Klopp's club join Newcastle, Tottenham, Bournemouth and Norwich in using the scheme announced by prime minister Boris Johnson.
Manchester City, however, confirmed they would not be furloughing staff.
But the Premier League clubs are under fire and Gazidis said: "Our club’s biggest priority is very simple: the health and safety of our players, staff, fans and our community as a whole.
"We also have a duty to look to the future of our great club, to ensure we overcome this crisis in a healthy and strong way.
"Clubs are not just companies that play football, they have a role in the community and represent values without which football would be nothing.
"We will be remembered for how we behave in these days. We want you to feel that AC Milan is beside you, we want to make you proud."
