Completely wrong – Exclusive: Paul Robinson compares Leeds & Man United as controversy rages
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Leeds United…
Paul Robinson has said that it’s “completely wrong” to scapegoat football players amid the Coronavirus outbreak.
Matt Hancock, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, said Premier League footballers needed to step up in a recent Downing Street press conference.
That’s whipped up a controversy that’s seen public opinion move against what they see as greedy footballers not willing to help the NHS.
However, Robinson pointed out that footballers live in the UK and pay high rates of tax, with the government choosing not to mention bankers or those living in tax exiles.
Talking exclusively to MOT Leeds News, Robinson said, “Each club has handled it differently. The way Leeds have handled it is excellent and they’ve been the market leaders, the first to do it.
“But it depends on the club and the state of the finances and how many people they employ.
“If you’re talking Leeds you’re talking two or three hundred staff. If you’re talking Man United you’re into the thousands, two or three thousand staff. It’s a different level of football, different levels of staff.
“The way the players have been targeted for no reason whatsoever is completely wrong. To be pointed out as scapegoats is ridiculous.
“There is the ability for footballers to help out, but for this to be pointed out publically and to be used as scapegoats is completely wrong.
“There are so many people living in other countries, in tax exiles, but they don’t point out that football players live over here and pay 50% tax straight into the government’s pockets in tax.”
Robinson makes a very good point.
It’s easy to get wrapped up in the very visible target of Premier League footballers. But this is a case of going after the millionaires rather than the billionaires.
Everyone has their part to play and footballers can and probably are doing their bit.
But what of the bankers and the like? Where’s Matt Hancock’s scapegoating there?
One thing we can be proud of is the Leeds players stepping up and doing their bit.
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