The Premier League, with its vast riches and mass global following, is also attempting to show its socially conscious side – by asking players to slash their salaries by 30 percent and giving $24.5 million to the UK's National Health Service (NHS) in the frontline of the coronavirus outbreak.

Often dismissed as cut-throat and lacking in morals, the football world has been trying to do its bit, with massive donations and clubs agreeing with players to cut wages.

Now the Premier League is going a step further by asking all clubs to suggest their players take a 30 percent pay cut – in order to protect lower-paid jobs at the clubs and give a donation to the NHS. It means that $153 million is set to go to the lower leagues – the EFL and the National League – through an advanced payment, along with a $24.5 million donation to the NHS.

The clubs agreed the cut on Friday against a background of criticism for protecting high-earning players and showing little compassion for normal staff during the employment uncertainty around the coronavirus outbreak.

With some clubs having furloughed non-playing staff, the UK's health secretary Matt Hancock this week took a swipe at players, suggesting they should do more. He told a press briefing: "Given the sacrifices many people are making, the first thing Premier League footballers can do is make a contribution."

Many Premier League clubs have been using the UK's furlough scheme, under which the government will pay up to 80 percent of wages to a maximum of $3,094 per month. Tottenham, Newcastle, Bournemouth and Norwich have already stated intention to use the furlough scheme.

On Saturday, Champions League holders Liverpool became the latest club to confirm they have placed staff on furlough, stating they will ensure staff receive full pay by guaranteeing the final 20 percent of their salaries above the state-backed 80 percent.

Meanwhile Norwich players, coaches and executive staff have donated $245,000 to help local people, while Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe became the first Premier League boss to take a COVID-inspired pay cut. Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy, who was paid $8.6million last season, has also agreed to give up a fifth of his earnings.

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Elsewhere in Europe, Lionel Messi donated $1.08 million to a local hospital while he and his Barcelona team-mates, like league rivals Atletico Madrid, have taken 70 percent pay cuts to help their clubs pay lesser-remunerated staff. Juventus players and manager Maurizio Sarri have agreed to freeze their pay for four months.

While the Premier League has taken a unilateral stand on pay cuts, Spain's La Liga has so far recommended to Primera Division clubs that they follow the leads of Atletico and Barcelona with cuts.

"We are urging clubs to initiate ERTEs [temporary pay cuts] due to the special measures the government has taken to avoid and alleviate the negative impact COVID-19 is having on our sector – so we are able to guarantee that the sector recovers when the crisis is over," said a statement from La Liga on Friday.

While the Premier League has taken an important stand it could be argued that considering the vast sums that top-flight players are earning, an advanced payment of $153 million given to lower league football and the $24.5 million to the NHS is a bare minimum. Others will say that the football industry has been unfairly put in the limelight due to its high profile.

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