Danny Rose dismisses 'bizarre' Premier League criticism amid coronavirus crisis, says players are keen to help
Danny Rose has jumped to the defence of Premier League footballers, insisting recent criticism surrounding the coronavirus pandemic is unjustified.
The pandemic has already caused significant financial struggles throughout the country, many – including health secretary Matt Hancock and London Mayor Sadiq Khan – calling on Premier League footballers to "take a pay cut and do their part".
Tottenham and Newcastle have both placed non-playing staff on furlough leave but Premier League clubs have now agreed to propose a 30% wage cut, utilising the increased funds to give £20m towards the NHS in addition to £125m to the EFL and National League.
Rose – currently on loan at Newcastle from Tottenham – was left mystified by the criticism, stating Premier League players were discussing how they could help prior to the calls.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 live, Rose said: "We're all keen to make something happen.
"I can only speak for myself but I would 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.
"We sort of feel that our backs are against the wall. Conversations were being had before people outside of football were commenting.
"I've been on the phone to Jordan Henderson and he's working so hard to come up with something.
"It was just not needed for people who are not involved in football to tell footballers what they should do with their money. I found that so bizarre."
Rose is not alone in questioning the criticism directed at Premier League players, former Newcastle and Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas labelling the calls “an absolute joke”.
"Their hearts are in the right place,” he told BBC Sport. “They wanted to have control over where money goes.
"Essentially, if the players take a wage cut, the beneficiaries are the clubs. Their main concern is what is happening to this money. They are happy to put money into a pot, rather than it just vanishing.
"They want to have an influence as to where this money is going. Is it going to the NHS, school meals? They want control over that. They don't want to be dictated to by the Premier League - they don't want to have no idea where the money's gone."
Read more
Coronavirus LIVE! Premier League clubs to ratify pay cuts with PFA
London 2012 star arrested for breaking coronavirus curfew with lock-in
Boxer Yarde loses father and grandmother to Covid-19 in matter of days
