Premier League players intend to make "significant financial contributions" to support their clubs and non-playing staff during the coronavirus crisis, the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) has announced.
A statement released by the PFA on Saturday says top-flight players "fully appreciate their role and responsibilities in society" and want to ensure their contributions help to guarantee non-playing staff at Premier League clubs receive "100 per cent" of their wages while the season is postponed.
The statement comes after talks were held on Saturday between the Premier League and the PFA over clubs' proposals to cut player wages by 30 per cent during the coronavirus pandemic.
An agreement is yet to be made over the proposals and the PFA has suggested players will seek to avoid a proposed 30 per cent wage cut because of the tax implications.
"The players are mindful that as PAYE employees, the combined tax on their salaries is a significant contribution to funding essential public services - which are especially critical at this time," the statement read.
"Taking a 30 per cent salary deduction will cost the Exchequer substantial sums. This would be detrimental to our NHS and other government-funded services.
"The proposed 30 per cent salary deduction over a 12-month period equates to over £500m in wage reductions and a loss in tax contributions of over £200m to the government.
"What effect does this loss of earning to the government mean for the NHS? Was this considered in the Premier League proposal and did the Health Secretary, Matt Hancock factor this in when asking players to take a salary cut?
"We welcomed the opportunity to discuss this with the Premier League today and we are happy to continue talks."
Source: m.allfootballapp.com