Portsmouth players put hands into pocket to help those in need as footballers are ‘scapegoated’ amid crisis

Ryan Williams believes footballers are being ‘scapegoated’ as Pompey players donate their cash to help those struggling through the coronavirus crsis.
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The Blues squad are putting their time and money into local causes focused on helping those in need through the Covid-19 pandemic.

Christian Burgess, Tom Naylor and Ben Close have been among those helping HIVE Portsmouth on a rota basis, as the group partners with Pompey in the Community and the club to deliver food packages to the vulnerable across the city.

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That move follows on from Premier League players starting the #PlayersTogether initiative to raise funds for NHS charities.

Questions have been asked of footballers and what they are doing to help get through the pandemic from areas, including health secretary Matt Hancock.

Williams feels that’s grossly unfair and questioned why it’s players under the spotlight?

He said: ‘When people are told to do something they often won’t want to do it, but will of their own accord.

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‘We’re not involved in that (the Premier League player fund) but there are billionaires out there who never get any flak.

Ryan WilliamsRyan Williams
Ryan Williams

‘There are people with a lot more money than footballers not getting the same questions asked of them.

‘Why is that? Is it because the profession’s there to see? Or maybe because everyone knows the finances in it? I think it’s scapegoating really.

‘Over the years you can see what people tend to think of footballers, the perception of footballers and the perception of the finance in football.

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‘People tend to only see what is portrayed and when they come to games. They won’t know what people are like or their stories.

‘So I think it’s harsh what the government have been saying because players earn so much money they should have to give it up.

‘Most Premier League players I presume pay 45 per cent tax. So it’s not like they aren’t giving the government money. They’ve been giving the government nearly half of their money - and 45 per cent of anything is a lot.’

Williams explained his own personal circumstances have stopped him volunteering in person since being the pandemic intensified.

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But that hasn’t stopped the Australian winger doing all he can in other ways to help - and that’s included dipping his hand into his pocket.

Williams added: ‘It’s been hard for me to physically volunteer but I spoke to Burge, because he’s been doing a lot.

‘I can’t go down in terms of handing stuff because I can’t put my (one-year-old) son at risk, because he’s so young.

‘But I’ve asked if I can cook or donate and some of the boys are going down to hand food out.

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‘We’re trying to help as best as we can. I’m trying my best to help while keeping me and my family safe plus others.’

‘We’ve got a group chat and Nayls and Burge have been putting things on and inviting people to do things. The boys have been really good and chipping in.

‘For those like myself, Ellis (Harrison), Hawks (Hawkins) and Gaz (Evans)in terms of having young children they are more financially backing rather than physically going down.

‘We all want to help. If I can’t help physically we’ll try to help in any other way.

‘Putting a bit of money in for people to cook and help out is great - because we’re all in this together.’

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