Sheffield United's players join forces with Premier League colleagues to raise funds for NHS charities during coronavirus pandemic

Top-flight stars came under fire after some clubs placed non-playing staff on the Government's furlough scheme, with health secretary Matt Hancock last week calling for Premier League players to take a pay cut.

Premier League clubs proposed wage deductions or deferrals of around 30 per cent to mitigate the financial impact of the crisis but talks over the weekend with the Professional Footballers' Association did not reach a resolution.

But United's players have joined the likes of Harry Kane, Jordan Henderson and Marcus Rashford in launching a campaign called #PlayersTogether, which has partnered with NHS Charities Together (NHSCT).

A statement from the group said: "Over the course of the last week we, as a group of Premier League players, have held numerous talks together with the vision of creating a contribution fund that can be used to distribute money to where it's needed most in this COVID-19 crisis; helping those fighting for us on the NHS frontline as well as other key areas of need.

"This is a critical time for our country and for our NHS, and we are determined to help in any way that we can.

"We can confirm that after extensive conversations between a huge number of players from all Premier League clubs we have created our own collective player initiative, #PlayersTogether, and have partnered with NHS Charities Together (NHSCT) in order to assist them in generating and distributing funds quickly and efficiently to where they are needed most."

Hancock's criticism during last Thursday's daily briefing heightened the issue about players taking salary reductions but he praised the players' announcement on Wednesday night.

"Warmly welcome this big-hearted decision from so many Premier League footballers to create #PlayersTogether to support NHS Charities. You are playing your part," Hancock wrote on Twitter.

Former England players Gary Lineker and Gary Neville tweeted their congratulations to the players for an initiative the statement said was "separate to any other club and league conversations".

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to The Star website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.

Visit https://www.thestar.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.