Burnley captain Ben Mee has praised Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson for instigating the #playerstogether initiative.
A large number of players from Premier League clubs have agreed to donate money to the charitable fund which will 'distribute money to where it is needed most' in the fight against coronavirus.
It followed Health Secretary Matt Hancock calling on big-earning footballers to do their bit and take a pay cut.
This drew anger from players and the PFA who hit back at Hancock for seemingly singling out the sport for criticism.
And Mee insisted the players always wanted to do their part and people tried to make them out to be villains.
He told The Guardian: 'Jordan Henderson might be the captain of the European champions but he is also a working-class lad from Sunderland who deserves full credit for bringing us all together, showing what makes a true leader.
'As a group we just wanted to do something positive and we feel we have taken a step towards achieving it.
'The criticism of footballers from those in the media and government has been unhelpful, to say the least.
'Bad press comes with the territory of being in a high-profile profession – these things make for easier headlines than the constant community and charitable work we do all over the globe.
'As we worked hard to do our part they have created a distraction, needlessly trying to make villains out of footballers, rather than focusing their airtime on praising the great work of those key workers who are putting themselves at risk to help others.'
Instigated by Henderson, #playerstogether, aims to 'distribute money to where it is needed most' in the fight against the global pandemic.
Funds will go to 'those fighting for us on the NHS frontline as well as other key areas of need', a statement released late on Wednesday night announced.
Top flight players, in discussions with their clubs over pay cuts, have expressed a desire to assist the NHS – along with other causes working at the heart of the pandemic.
A number of conference calls between footballers from across the Premier League have been held over recent days, while a WhatsApp group has been set up for each side's captain to explore the venture which has received unanimous backing.
Much of the talk has surrounded around the level of donations. There is an acceptance that different players earn vastly different salaries and a desire to ensure all look like they are contributing fairly.
As a result it is understood that donations to the fund, set up in partnership with NHS Charities Together (the NHS's official charity partner), will be made anonymously.
Southampton became the first Premier League club to announce on Thursday they have reached a wage deferral agreement with their players following the coronavirus outbreak.
Southampton’s stars will each give up 10 per cent of their salaries for April, May and June to help protect the jobs of staff across the club. Manager Ralph Hasenhuttl, his coaching staff and the south coast club’s board will do likewise.
Players at some other clubs have also been asked to take a pay cut.
Source: m.allfootballapp.com