As we have seen there have been some incredible acts of kindness shown during these times by individuals, companies, and associations. Some have made financial contributions, others have contributed by selfless acts.
Everything is relative.
A week ago several news outlets ran a story that Manchester United and Manchester City, the two biggest football teams in the city had donated “a combined £100,000 (AUD201,385) to local food banks in a joint initiative between the clubs to fight the threat of coronavirus to those most vulnerable.”
These came about thanks to a group known as Fans Supporting Foodbanks who put out a call for donations. It should be stated at this point that Manchester United already have a charitable arm called MUFC Foodbanks that supply 19 locations in Manchester.
While this is good to see it would appear that the gesture may well have backfired.
In the list of the richest football clubs in the world compiled by Deloittes and published in January 2020, Manchester United came in third behind Barcelona and Real Madrid, while cross town rivals City came in sixth.
Manchester City had Bayern Munich and Paris St Germain ahead of them. City’s was listed as having a wealth of EUR 610.6 (AUD1.1Billion) and United, EUR711.5 million (AUD1.29billion).
Two years ago Manchester United were the Richest club in the World, with a hugely successful brand backed up by savvy commercial operations across the globe, built off of the back of the success the club experienced under Sir Alex Ferguson. Not only have they been eclipsed by Spain’s biggest club but look like being overtaken by both Liverpool and Manchester City in England if they do not start winning trophies again.
If we look at the payment of players Manchester United’s goalkeeper Spaniard David de Gea according to Sportrac in January 2020 was listed as being paid £375,000 per week (AUD681,527 per week). Which is an annual salary of £19.5 million! (AUD39,239,681)
In the same report Manchester City players Kevin de Bruyne and Raheem Sterling were second and third on the list, with the Belgian pocketing a weekly salary of £320,833 (AUD645,609) and England forward Sterling banking a nice round £300,000 (AUD603,386). Sergio Aguero also of Manchester City was seventh with a weekly salary of £230,135 (AUD462,867).
Manchester United had three more players rounding out the top 10 with Paul Pogba fourth on £290,000 a week (AUD582,910), Anthony Martial was sixth on £250,000 (AUD502,509), and Marcus Rashford on £200,000 per week (AUD402,059).
Many football fans around the globe including supporters of both clubs were sickened that the clubs were being praised for their donations while thousands across the world are losing their jobs and are going to struggle to pay weekly bills, mortgages and rent. let alone eat.
Many of those out of work are the very people who play a part in promoting these clubs and players week-in-week out, the cameramen, the editors, the runners, floor managers, as the television networks prefer to employ them as freelancers.
If you look at the £100,000 in the context of the players weekly wages, and that it is a third of what de Gea earns a week, it is understandable why fans are not happy. Maybe if the club had asked all of the players to sacrifice some of their salary each week during this time they would have won more support, rather than turning fans away.
That money could have been shared between those fans who have bought season tickets and now find themselves out of work. With the clubs being the focal point in the city, fans could have been asked to bring in utility bills and the club could have helped the community paying these with the money sacrificed by the players.
Looking at the stories that ran praising the clubs for their contribution, in the context of the salaries it is hard to see this as a generous offer of support; even though those in need are grateful for everything that comes their way.
At the end of the day everything is relative… Isn’t it? Or is it simply a misunderstanding of Charity begins at home?
Congratulations Ashley for writing this piece, as I am sure some will hate you for it.
I read the same articles and thought exactly the same, what a pathetic amount to give from two of the richest sporting clubs in the world.
As usual you have the courage to stand up for what you believe. I congratulate you. Thank you for saying what many of us were thinking.
Unfortunately it is as the people who love football and part with our money to see this players play and get paid millions , so we put them there but yes they give nothing back . I hope , when all this is over we the football lovers will change our attitude towards profesional players