A goodwill gesture or something created to boost PR after a bad eeek for football in terms of media relations? https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52219771 Which side do you fall? Seems like Troy played a key role in setting this up. Think it's a noble idea and hopefully will raise a lot but will some have that nagging feel it's been done after a week of bad press. One thing I will ask is other rich and famous people be called out in public to help ?
I think it was wrong to single out footballers for criticism and leave out other wealthy: other sports people, bankers, industrialists, musicians, actors etc.
Who singled out footballers? No it was NOT MATT HANCOCK as has been widely reported in THE MEDIA. It was THE MEDIA themselves who raised the scenario, by asking loaded questions, then completely misreporting the answers given, in order to sensationalise the subject.
I get what you're saying but firstly Hancock did not need to answer the question. He's the health secretary and could have justifiably batted it off. But he probably knew if asked it would prove a suitable distraction away from the government for a while though. And second, while the account of what he said is clearly an exaggeration, politicians use and abuse that regularly too. So while I might have some sympathy for a normal member of the public on the receiving end of such media treatment, I'm not going to shed a tear for a government minister.
“That’s a question for footballers and the football authorities to answer.” Simple. Politicians aren’t stupid, they know the questions they’re likely to get and practice the talking points they want to respond with.
Agreed he didn't start the fire He just poured some petrol on the flames which was worse. As UEA says, he didn't need to get involved
It was a direct question to him from a reporter during one of the daily news conferences on the C-19 crisis. The Media Reporter was the one who raised the subject and all Matt Hancock said in just one sentence was something like: - "Yes the PL players could possibly do their bit"
He was quite a bit less tactful in my opinion "Given the sacrifices many people are making, the first thing PL footballers can do is make a contribution," How you interpret the above is fine but in my opinion he was more scathing than your interpretation. I think we both agree some other millionaires could do more though
I've seen a longer version of the start of that quote which is even worse: "Given the sacrifices that many people are making, including some of my colleagues in the NHS who have made the ultimate sacrifice..." So being generous he was extremely clumsy to equate the tragic deaths of doctors and nurses with the topic of what contribution footballers should in his opinion make.
You are pretty computer savvy, so why don't post up a link to that press conference and we'll see who has interpreted what he said correctly.
He certainly could have mentioned others and made a general point. I think he just didn't want to think about a proper answer so just agreed on the spot.
I am surprised no one asked the Government about the plans by the EFL to re-start the season in June.. Afterall that is something thry can control. Guess it wasn't the Premier league so won't interest them !
Thanks for this Arakel, but could you post up from when the question was originally asked by the journalist through to the end Matt of Hancock's full reply.
I've had to click on the daily express to get this but here you go. Sorry I don't know how to insert the video https://www.express.co.uk/sport/foo...s-PFA-Matt-Hancock-statement-coronavirus-news
