Premier League footballer Danny Rose says he's prepared to take a pay cut to help front-line staff fighting the coronavirus pandemic and has discussed the issue with Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson.
Reds skipper Henderson is setting up a fund for NHS workers and Rose – currently on loan at Newcastle United from Tottenham Hotspur – revealed that plans were being put in place by the likes of his England team-mate before Health Secretary Matt Hancock's calls for millionaire football players to take pay cuts.
His remarks came after a number of clubs, including Newcastle United, used a Government scheme to furlough staff on 80% of their wages during the shutdown.
Rose told BBC Radio 5 Live – via the Sunderland Echo : “Seeing comments from people at the House of Parliament, we sort of feel our backs are against the wall.
“Conversations were being had before people outside of football were commenting.
“I just got off the phone to Jordan Henderson, and he’s working so hard trying to come up with something.
“It was just not needed for people who are not involved in football trying to tell footballers what to do with their money. I found that so bizarre.
“I can only speak for myself, but I have no problems whatsoever contributing any of my wages to people who are fighting this on the front line, and to people who have been affected by what’s happening at the minute.”
An article in The Times said that Henderson had reached out to the 19 other Premier League captains to pitch the idea of a coronavirus crisis fund but the midfielder does not want to be credited for the idea, and instead is just focused on helping those leading the fight against COVID-19.
