Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson sets up coronavirus crisis fund

Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson has set up a coronavirus crisis fund with fellow Premier League captains to raise raise funds for the National Health Service. It is claimed that this was planned after Health Secretary Matt Hancock's scathing comments about footballers needing to "play their part" by agreeing to a pay cut amid the Covid-19 pandemic. 

The crisis fund will aim to raise millions of pounds for the NHS, who are growing ever stretched during the global crisis. 

This initiative taken by the Liverpool skipper has reportedly drawn a positive response from rival players in the Premier League, who are currently self-isolating, with the season suspended indefinitely. 

It is believed that the England international spent much of this week pitching the idea to other Premier League captains. As talks progress, players want to speak with the NHS and seek government guidance on the best way to distribute the money raised and in which areas it is most needed. 

Various banks have reportedly already been contacted to begin setting up the fund and Premier League stars will be asked to contribute towards it. With a wide range in varying salaries across the 20 clubs in the League, it will be down to the players to individually decide how much cash they donate. 

Premier League bosses are due to meet on Friday to discuss wage cuts for footballers amid the outbreak of coronavirus which has not only troubled England but also the whole world. But it is understood any donation made to the NHS will not be included from the impending wages due to be docked. 

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has already donated £920,000 to a charity in Barcelona to help buy equipment to fight the deadly virus. 

Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi, formerly managed by the Spaniard, also followed suit by giving the same amount to split between Barcelona's University hospital and another medical centre in his native Argentina. 

Meanwhile, Manchester United are set to become the first team in England to slash squad salaries. Club captain Harry Maguire, who pockets £190,000 a week, was approached by executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward about the idea of donating 30 per cent of their wages this month to the NHS and it is claimed that all members of the squad have agreed to do that.

Featured Image Credits - Premier League