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FIFPRO release report about the global impact of COVID-19 on football

marcus rashford, manchester united

Today, FIFPRO published a report highlighting the impressive contributions professional footballers across the globe have made in the fight against the damaging effects of COVID-19. 

During the last 4-months, players all over the world have collectively been supporting charitable projects, healthcare workers, communities and fellow players in need, while also facing uncertainty about their own futures. The report ‘Playing Our Part: The Impact of Professional Footballers during Covid-19’ focuses on the initiatives taken by players and their unions during the on-going crisis. 

While FIFPRO’s report details the impact players and player associations have had on needy communities throughout the pandemic, it also highlights the precarious situation many players, clubs and smaller leagues now find themselves in as a result of lockdown. 

In the English leagues, our COVID-19 response has mainly focused on supporting children, vulnerable communities and the NHS. The captains of all twenty Premier League clubs, led by Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson, created  #PlayersTogether – a charitable project to collectively show their support for the NHS. #PlayersTogether partnered with NHS Charities Together, who allocated funds directly to help frontline workers as they worked tirelessly to keep people safe. 

The PFA made a significant contribution to #PlayersTogether, and raised additional funds for the cause through our Art4NHS competition, with Manchester United’s Juan Mata helping to judge entries. England’s Lionesses also teamed up to make a joint donation from the entire senior squad to #PlayersTogether.

The PFA’s Director of Corporate Social Responsibility, John Hudson, has been incredibly moved by how players have responded to the pandemic, saying, 

“Seeing how players have responded to COVID-19 has been fantastic. FIFPRO’s report demonstrates just how much pressure the worldwide football family has been under, and despite facing uncertainty, players and their unions have still put others first and done what they can to care for and protect people. Footballers are often unfairly labelled as out of touch, but the incredible way players across the globe have risen to the challenge shows what a vital part of the community football players are.”

Many other players across the English leagues also organised fantastic charitable initiatives, and the PFA remain incredibly proud of our members and all that they have done to support others. Football is at the heart of many local communities across the country, and we are delighted at how players have stepped up to the challenge and shown their commitment to those who need it the most. 

FInd out More...

To find out more on how players across the world have helped during the global crisis, see the ‘Playing Our Part’ report by FIFPRO.

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