Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson is organising a Premier League coronavirus crisis fund for the NHS that will run into millions of pounds.
It is claimed in a report by The Times that the Liverpool midfielder has spent the last few days pitching the idea to his Premier League counterparts, contacting rival captains from Arsenal, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Tottenham, West Ham and other top flight clubs.
The initiative being led by the England international pre-dates the comments that were made by Health Secretary Matt Hancock during Thursday's Downing Street press conference, as he called upon Premier League footballers to "play their part."
Henderson was poised to continue his discussions with fellow Premier League captains on Friday and the initial reaction, as you would expect, has been mostly positive, with players determined to raise cash for those who are working on the frontline during this incredibly challenging and uncertain period.
Premier League players are happy to engage with Hancock, as well as the rest of the government and the NHS, as they look to find out the very best way to distribute the money to where it is needed most.
Contact has already been made with various banks to set-up the fund, and footballers will be asked to contribute on the understanding that any money donated by the players will be separate to decisions made on wage cuts or deferrals by the Premier League at their stakeholders meeting on Friday.
The news of Henderson's plan comes just hours after it was revealed that Manchester United skipper Harry Maguire has urged his United teammates to take a 30 per cent pay cut, which will see that money donated to the NHS instead, according to a report by the Mail.
This fantastic gesture will see millions of pounds injected into supporting staff on the frontline.
Meanwhile, the League Managers' Association also issued a statement on the possibility of managers and football clubs taking wage cuts amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The statement read: "Our individual members are all acutely aware of challenges game faces and need for everyone to play their part in limiting the impact this situation will have on the future of the game and the viability of individual clubs.
"There is no standard contract system for managers and coaches but across membership there's been significant progress, on club by club basis, in negotiating individual contractual and salary arrangements with managers, including furloughs, cuts and deferrals.
"In main, clubs engaged with discussions and negotiations professionally and pragmatically. Through proactive approach and instances of managers engaging in local, national and international community and charity initiatives, members continue to demonstrate commitment to clubs and communities."
