The perception that soccer players do not fulfill their social responsibilities has been denied by their “incredible initiatives” during the pandemic COVID-19, according to the world players union FIFPRO in a report released Thursday.
The report, which highlights the contributions made by professional footballers in fighting the effects of the pandemic, said that a large number of players have been “generous and creative” during the crisis. Among other things, they created dedicated funds, created charities to donate to food banks and to finance medical equipment in hospitals, and participated in campaigns to raise awareness and protect people from contracting the virus, according to the report.
“Professional soccer players and athletes from all sports have developed incredible initiatives around the world to help their communities, their clubs and teams, and often their teammates,” said FIFPRO Secretary General, Jonas Baer-Hoffmann. “The public perception of athletes who do not fulfill their social responsibility could not be more wrong.”
Keita Balde or Marcus Rashford are two examples of solidarity
Examples listed include AS Monaco striker Keita Balde, who assisted 200 Lleida-based Senegalese workers after they lost their jobs, and Marcus Rashford, of Manchester United, who helped persuade the British government to extend a plan to school meals.
It also said that the players had helped each other. In one case, a group of senior Irish international players contributed to an emergency fund to help the country's national league footballers who were in financial difficulties. The players' union in Botswana distributed food to players at seven clubs, plus 50 players as well, they point.
The report also notes that the lives of most footballers outside of the elite are “often uncertain and highly competitive.” He says that in men's soccer, more than 45% of the players earn less than $ 1,000 a month, 41% receive late payments and in most cases have short contracts. In women's soccer, most players earn less than $ 600 a month.
“The belief that footballers live carefree and rich lives has led fans and the general public to have high expectations when it comes to players' shared responsibility to fight the virus,” he said. “But many players during this time have even relied on food packages and financial support packages to survive.”