Ex-Newcastle United player has strong message for Matt Hancock

A number of Premier League clubs, including Newcastle United, have furloughed staff in response to the coronavirus pandemic, but top-flight players, for the moment, remain on full pay.

However, the Professional Footballers' Association, in talks with the Premier League and EFL this week over measures to protect clubs, has conceded that players must "share the financial burden".

Former Newcastle winger Townsend has defended his profession.

The Crystal Palace player told Talksport: "Football is trying to do a lot of good. To wake up and see footballers being painted as villains was a bit of a surprise to be honest.

"Individual players are thinking about ways which they can help. I’m involved in a campaign, Football United, raising money for the emergency trust. Marcus Rashford has helped feed over 400,000 schoolchildren in Manchester.

"The health secretary, deflecting blame onto footballers, I don't think that is right. His job is the responsibility of NHS workers. He’s coming out and deflecting onto the easy targets, the footballers, and that doesn't sit right with me.

"We do have a responsibility but we are giving back to the community and rightly so. We are in a very privileged position. The community effectively pay our wages. At a time like this, we need to give back.

"I have never been more proud to be a footballer. At Palace, we have helped out the homeless, donated to local charities.”