IT was recently announced that Premier League football clubs will receive a ‘windfall’ of £5.4 billion from TV deals. Whatever the rights and wrongs of footballers salaries it is shocking that top football stars will receive millions yet most ground staff will not even receive a living wage. Can it be right that players like Wayne Rooney can make £300,000 a week, while the people selling tickets or preparing the pitch may be struggling to pay the rent and put food on the table?
It was shocking to see Premier League Executive, Richard Scudamore say recently that football clubs do not have any responsibility to pay a living wage.
After a big campaign, Chelsea FC agreed to pay their lowest paid staff enough to cover basics like rent and food. It is hoped that through big petitions and public pressure other clubs will be persuaded to follow suit.
When an employer agrees to pay a living wage, it can make a huge difference to families struggling to get by. Thankfully more and more employers are doing it thanks to people working together to push for a fair deal for all staff. Football is an industry of huge inequality, but it relies on the support of millions of ordinary people.
This campaign is a great opportunity to give low wages the red card. There’s one petition per Premier League club. Readers can sign the petition for any club. https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/living-wage-football-petition
Martin Challender
Bolton
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