WEST HAM star Robert Snodgrass has blasted Health Secretary Matt Hancock and told the politician to “do his homework” before attacking footballers.
The MP previously called on stars of the Beautiful Game to do their bit over coronavirus and “take a pay cut”.
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Robert Snodgrass is far from happy that footballers have been singled outCredit: Rex Features
Health Secretary Matt Hancock called on footballers to donate wagesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
This drew anger from players and the PFA who hit back at Hancock for seemingly singling out the sport for criticism.
On Thursday night Premier League captains created a Players Together fund to give £4million to the NHS.
The 20 skippers — led by Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson and Manchester United’s Harry Maguire — rubber-stamped the groundbreaking plan after four days of talks.
Hancock himself uploaded a photo of the letter that will be sent out by the newly-formed organisation on Twitter, writing: “Warmly welcome this big-hearted decision from so many Premier League footballers to create #PlayersTogether to support NHS Charities.
“You are playing your part.”
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But his show of support was met with a cold shoulder from Snodgrass who seemingly hasn’t forgiven him for his previous comments.
The 32-year-old Scotland international wrote: “Thanks @MattHancock it’s great to have your backing.
“In future do your homework on what we do and who we are as people before coming for us.
“Over £1billion in tax and NI PAYMENTS doesn’t even earn RESPECT anymore.
“It’s not about us it’s about the real heroes…The NHS.”
The Players Together voluntary initiative — separate to any pay cut conversations with their clubs or the Prem — was also hailed by former England stars Gary Lineker and Rio Ferdinand.
FOOTBALLERS SUPPORT NHS
Lineker tweeted: “Footballers are doing their bit as I was confident they would. Proud of our players.”
While Ferdinand added: “The players have made a great call with the frontline of the NHS.”
Three Lions aces Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling were among the stars to post the statement on their social media accounts at 9pm last night along with #PlayersTogether.
SunSport previously reported how Premier League players are refusing to bail out their clubs as English football heads towards civil war.
Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne, Watford captain Troy Deeney and West Ham skipper Mark Noble led the fightback in a video conference that served only to deepen divisions in the game.
Premier League chiefs and club executives thought the players were ready to buy into their proposal for a wage cut or deferral of up to 30 per cent designed to stave off financial meltdown caused by the coronavirus crisis.
But the message they got back was: ‘We’d rather give our cash to the NHS than help out our rich owners’.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
