GARY NEVILLE says Mesut Ozil’s refusal to agree to Arsenal’s request to take a coronavirus pay-cut proves football is eating itself.
The Gunners’ £350,000-a-week star has sparked anger by snubbing the club’s plea to take a 12.5 per cent cut over 12 months.
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Gary Neville believes Mesut Ozil should have agreed a 12.5 per cent pay-cut like his Arsenal team-mates
The money will be paid back if they qualify for the Champions League.
But Ozil and two team-mates have declined to help out financially during the current Covid-19 crunch.
England and Manchester United legend Neville – now a Sky Sports pundit and co-owner of League Two Salford – said: “It demonstrates further the complexity of what is happening at Premier League clubs.
“There is no doubt football is eating itself from the inside out. There are disagreements, not just from club to club but from clubs to players. There is nothing in agreement.
“There is maybe the odd club that has got its own house in order. But most clubs and players are not at war but disagreeing with what is happening.
“It’s a massive battle. Clubs need support but players don’t trust the clubs and this is a massive example of it.”
Neville believes Ozil’s snub highlights an appalling lack of team spirit.
MES-SY AFFAIR
The former right-back told The Football Show on Sky: “The principle of not being together as a group is indefensible.
“I wouldn’t want to be one of the three who haven’t agreed with the rest of the group, I think it will alienate and isolate them in everything moving forward.
“They are entitled to make their own decisions, you cannot rip up a player’s contract or force them to take a deferral.
“But when a group of players are voting on something, you go along with it.”
Fellow pundit Jamie Carragher reckons Ozil’s decision is a massive own goal by the player.
The ex-Liverpool and England defender said: “I think his agent did him no favours when he came out three or four weeks ago, argued the fact and said ‘Wait and see.’
“I always felt this would be a problem. I’ve been there myself in a different situation when you’re trying to agree with 25 people in a dressing room. It’s never going to happen.
“I always felt there would be two strands of players not fully engaged with the rest of the squad in cuts of wages or deferrals.
“That would maybe a young lad who had just got into the squad and maybe didn’t have the revenue of other players.
“Or a player coming to the end of his contract and had maybe not earned big money throughout his career.
“But the fact the highest-paid player and biggest name at Arsenal has not gone with the rest of his team and stuck together.
“Even if I was in Ozil’s position and I did not agree with it, I think the rest of the team, the manager and people at the club had decided to be as one and make the decision, then you have to go with it.
“Football is a team game, it’s not an individual sport. I think Ozil in this situation has got to go with what the rest of his team are doing. It’s a massive PR own goal.”
Ozil has already been slammed for his performances – reckoned by many to be way below that of a player on his vast salary.
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But Carragher added: “I’m not going to have a go at the wages he’s earning. If you want to have a go at the wages he’s earning, blame those who gave him the contract.
“But when a situation like this comes along the highest paid player and biggest name in that dressing room should be one who sets the example.”
Arsenal fan Piers Morgan has labelled Ozil as “disgraceful” as he hit out at the World Cup winner on social media as well as on Good Morning Britain.
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Piers Morgan blasts footballer Mesut Ozil for not accepting Arsenal’s coronavirus pay cut proposal
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
