DANNY MURPHY: Clubs using government money is grotesque

Published on: 04 April 2020

Football has consumed my life and I miss it more than ever. Although my priority is the well-being of loved ones, I also find myself thinking how these awful times can change our beautiful game for the better.

We’ve already seen good and bad in our industry. From my experience, footballers do step up when needed and it’s no surprise to me that Jordan Henderson and other Premier League captains have been looking at ways to use their financial power to help the NHS and charities.

But there has been a great negative as well with Newcastle, Tottenham and, I’m sorry to say, my club Liverpool using the Government’s furlough scheme to pay cleaners and other non-playing staff.

It is grotesque, because it wasn’t introduced for Premier League clubs who have more than enough money to look after their own. I’m particularly disappointed with the decision by Liverpool on Saturday because it runs against the togetherness the club has always been renowned for, particularly since Hillsborough.

I think there will be a backlash and while the club’s business people might think it will save them some money in the short-term, it will cause reputational damage.

It also makes the players look bad through no fault of their own. People will see Government funding for deserving causes being channelled to clubs who don’t need it, while they are paying players huge wages. I’m sure those players, criticised by Health Secretary Matt Hancock last week, would be happy for salary deferrals or cuts to be used to help less well-paid employees.

The hasty decision to furlough, started by Newcastle and now followed by Liverpool, Tottenham, Norwich and Bournemouth, has muddied the waters at a time when the players are discussing what they can do to help.

The Premier League has now ‘advised’ players to take a 30 per cent pay cut, apparently agreed by the clubs. I don’t think the players would object to the principle but they deserve to know what their money would be used for and have a say. We are talking millions of pounds. If it goes to the frontline NHS or charities, that’s one thing. If it remains in the clubs’ pockets, that is another.

Henderson appears to be one of the lead organisers. He is a humble lad who won’t welcome any attempt to portray him in a saintly fashion. But I think it’s fantastic that he and other players are trying to use their wealth in a positive way.

There is a perception that footballers are greedy and selfish and big clubs are all about business, not community. But you only have to look around to know there is an alternative.

The incredible acts of kindness we are witnessing every day humble me. The amazing work at the NHS in particular is inspiring the nation. So many people and communities pulling together to support each other shows what we can do when backs are against the wall.

Can we bring this new-found respect for one another to the terraces and football pitch? I think we can. Why should we show these traits only in times of crisis?

Think of match day without mindless, aggressive abuse towards players or referees, or each other for that matter. No more horrendous, moronic or bigoted taunts. No more having to explain to your kids why someone is behaving like that.

Surely, when we can again cherish the matchday experience that we’ve so long taken for granted, even the idiotic minority will think twice before they act.

And if we expect respect and kindness from fans, players and managers have to lead the way. No more stitching each other up by feigning injury or abusing the ref as the world watches on. Let’s have managers waiting to talk to refs calmly, not in front of thousands on the pitch like petulant schoolboys. Small details maybe, but huge in the example they set.

Of course the passion and desire is what we all love to see in players and fans alike and that is still possible while having respect and care for those around us in the stands or a colleague on the pitch.

We can’t change what’s happening right now but we can choose how we behave moving forward. Some early signs are positive. It’s not easy to make right decisions quickly but there has clearly been a strong desire from our millionaire footballers to help.

Football will be different when we come through this — different and hopefully better. Stay safe.

Source: m.allfootballapp.com

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