Wayne Rooney believes it is "a disgrace” that the nation’s top footballers were lined up as "easy targets” in the wider response to the coronavirus crisis.

The former England captain, now playing in the Championship with Derby, said the Government and the Premier League had left them in a "no-win situation” over the issue of pay cuts.

The Premier League have suggested a 30 per cent wage cut or deferral but the Professional Footballers’ Association issued a statement suggesting such a move could result in a £200m tax deficit.

Against that background the overt calls on footballers to commit to financial measures from key political figures, including Health Secretary Matt Hancock, have not been well received.

Mr Hancock has since told ITV News that footballers should consider giving their planned donation to struggling hospices.