Premier League stars told ‘f***ing play to get paid’ with footballers set to miss out on thousands in contract bonuses – The Sun
PREMIER LEAGUE stars are set to miss out on thousands in contract bonuses with the football campaign suspended amid the coronavirus pandemic.
During isolation, teams have agreed pay cuts and deferrals for their players, with the season still facing uncertainty.
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The Athletic discovered how footballers feel about returning to work during the crisis, with the season possibly due to be played behind-closed-doors.
Players who have taken a pay cut are said to be "raring to go" in order for their wages to be restored in full.
And others depend heavily on bonuses – with an unnamed star seeing their contract fall from £60,000 to £40,000 without being able to play.
An agent said: “If you want your money, f***ing play."
Top-flight clubs will hold further talks on how the season can be restarted amid the crisis at their next shareholders' meeting on Friday.
The French and Dutch leagues have all ready finished early, but the Premier League plans to restart even if it means without fans in attendance.
But former Arsenal defender, Gabriel Paulista, now at Valencia in Spain, said on Instagram he will refuse to play if a Covid-19 vaccine is not available.
He wrote: "Professional footballers are privileged people, but we are people first of all. We have family, loved ones and feelings.
We are always asked to be an example, and that is how it should be. Many children and young people pay attention to us. We need to set an example to society that we value life and health above all.
"For me, and I’m sure that for the vast majority of football players, money is not everything.
"We cannot prioritise stress or financial pressures above the most fundamental issues; that any family member, friend, co-worker or profession can get sick or die.
"In fact, after the terrible moment that we are still going through, no one should catch or die from this disease ever again!
"I love football, I love to play, I love my club and I always want to make fans happy. But also, and above all, I love and respect the life of every human being.
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"We will play when no one does it out of fear and when we have complete guarantees that there are no risks.
"If we are not given absolute guarantees, we must learn from the examples of other countries that have adopted more forceful measures.
"Life first, then football!"
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