Loads of Leeds United fans have been reacting on social media, after Member of Parliament for Colne Valley Jason McCartney praised the Whites first-team for deferring part of their pay whilst Premier League sides place staff on furlough.
Since the club announced that players, coaching staff and senior management figures had volunteered to defer parts of their wage for the foreseeable future to ensure that all non-playing staff can be paid in full, top-flight outfits Newcastle United, Norwich City and Tottenham Hotspur have placed some of their staff on the government’s job retention scheme.
Bournemouth have placed a number of staff on furlough, as well, but are committed to paying employees their full salary, while head coach Eddie Howe has taken a significant voluntary pay cut along with assistant Jason Tindall, Technical Director Richard Hughes and Chief Executive Neill Blake.
The Professional Footballers’ Association have staggeringly turned on the Premier League amid pressure to urge players to accept pay cuts, following Health Minister Matt Hancock’s public attack on the top-flight for not playing their part.
MP McCartney has joined Hancock in issuing a damning assessment on the situation in a recent post on Twitter.
“Huge admiration for the Leeds United players deferring part of their wages to help support non playing staff,” he noted. “Shame on the Premier League clubs taking tax payers cash to furlough their support staff whilst still paying in full their millionaire players.”
Here are some of the messages shared as fans reacted to McCartney’s post…
Even #htafc fans love us now! #lufc #ALAW 🥇 https://t.co/vGvGn99C3J
— Ranky Stagno (@RankyStagno) April 2, 2020
I as a tax payer think it’s wrong that u can pay a player this amount of money then ask me 2 pay 4 your non essential staff who must essential other wise u would not employ them in the first place the government should stop all premier league side from claiming this money
— Paul Wellington (@PaulWellington7) April 3, 2020
Well said 👏🏼👏🏼 https://t.co/DxxeZ2A2y2
— Andy Moran (@Coradomoz) April 2, 2020
Not sure I now want Leeds to be part of the greedy Premier League if they all behave like Newcastle and Spurs! It’s disgraceful……not what we expect of professional sportsmen. Well done Leeds…..I’m proud to be a LUFC supporter👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
— Chris (@cdenby_brook) April 3, 2020
Leeds leading the way again top of championship No 1 supporters but marching on together we have premiership hearts and good will @talkSPORT come on this good news well done the boys
— Nigel Rosendale 💙💛 (@nr100ap) April 3, 2020
This. Wether it’s down to the club to sort out or the players. Either way it’s a shambles. Take note https://t.co/6s4oKvSJ5z
— Ben Kingsnorth (@benkingsnorth) April 2, 2020
Great example by #lufc. Deserves more credit,especially Kiko if 6k cap is true.prem players on high wages and probably use image rights companies to reduce tax bill. When #COVID19 has peaked in uk @HMRCgovuk should investigate these clubs and deals Just like Messi Case in Spain
— Craig Hewitt (@cjlufc) April 2, 2020
— Briany #MOT (@brianyoneill) April 2, 2020
All the more appreciated coming from a Terrier 🐶👍🏻
— Ranky Stagno (@RankyStagno) April 2, 2020
Deeply uncomfortable with the new role Leeds United are playing as the “good guys” of British sport. Terribly off-brand. https://t.co/V2meDVi9wE
— Sophie Levin (@sophielevin11) April 2, 2020
In other Leeds United news, Director of Football Victor Orta’s plans for the summer transfer window have been thrown into disarray.