LONDON
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard believes the Blues can be proud of their response to the coronavirus crisis. The London club quickly offered the use of a hotel at their Stamford Bridge stadium to health workers once Premier League matches were suspended last month and have promised to match all donations made to domestic abuse charity Refuge during a sixweek fundraising campaign. Unlike a number of other Premier League clubs who have attracted criticism for using the UK government’s furlough scheme to pay nonplaying staff, Chelsea have so far decided against using public money. “I’m very proud to be the manager of this club with the way Chelsea have handled it,” Lampard told Sky Sports. “They were very quick to respond with the help of the hotel and there’s a lot more work going on with the foundation, with link-ups and with getting in touch with fans. “There are a lot of people at Chelsea who have really stood up.” Premier League players had been in the firing from prominent politicians, including UK health secretary Matt Hancock, for not agreeing pay cuts. A fund has since been set up by Premier League stars where they will donate to help frontline workers in the health service and talks over deferring wages are ongoing at a number of clubs.—AFP
