Manuel Neuer: "We're privileged, we should accept a pay cut"
"Bayern employs over a thousand people, all of whom do an important job. As a team, we want to help them and give them security with this gesture," the keeper said.
Bayern Munich and Germany captain Manuel Neuer has pointed out that modern day footballers form part of a privileged group within society which is why they should not hesitate to accept cutbacks to ease the pressure on others who are less fortunate - and especially now during the coronavirus crisis. Neuer spoke after the Bundeliga giants announced that the first team squad would be taking a pay cut. "As professionals, footballers belong to a very privileged group, so it's only natural that we should be willing to take a cut in pay when necessary," Neuer told German media today.
Taking a pay cut is the least we could do - Neuer
"Bayern employs over a thousand people, all of whom do an important job. As a team, we want to help them and give them security with this gesture," the keeper continued. Bayern's players reached an agreement with Chairman of the Executive Board Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Director of Sport Hasan Salihamidzic and club director Oliver Kahn for all members of the first team squad and coaching staff to accept a 20 per cent reduction in their salaries. That measure will allow the club to continue playing other employees during the coronavirus crisis when all of them are in quarantine and unable to work.
Neuer along with the rest of the German national team have announced that they will be donating 2.5 million euros which will go towards social needs during the crisis, a decision which the keeper admits, "wasn't really that difficult to make". The national team skipper went on to add, "It's important to remember that a lot of sportsmen and women do their part to help those in need with social projects during calmer times as well as in times of crisis. He has set up his own foundation to help disadvantaged children.