Roy Keane Defends Premier League Stars’ Decision to Reject Pay Cut, Insists He Would Do The Same

​​Manchester United legend Roy Keane has fired back at criticisms of the ​Premier League‘s top players for an apparent refusal to take a pay cut amid the coronavirus outbreak.

It was revealed last week that ​Mesut Ozil was one of three Arsenal players who refused a pay cut, and reportedly made it clear that he would be willing to take a pay cut in the future, but would want to see the full financial impact of the coronavirus outbreak before making any decision.

Keane sympathises with the players left in that position and has urged Premier League stars to stick to their guns.

“There is pressure on players at the really big clubs, clubs with wealthy owners, to take pay cuts,” he told ​Sky Sports.

“The way I look at it now, particularly after the way I left Manchester United, I wouldn’t take a pay cut from anybody if I was at one of the bigger clubs. I know there is pressure on players, but it is nobody’s business what you do with your wages. You take your wages and if you want to be generous, go ahead and do it. I don’t think players should feel pressured by clubs, particularly the bigger clubs, to take pay cuts.

“This idea that all players should take a pay cut, or that all the players have to do this, I think that is nonsense. It’s up to the individual. If they want to stick to their guns and say they want their full wages when you’ve got a billionaire in the background, do it. Don’t be swayed by some sort of pressure from the media, who write lies anyway about certain players.”

English football has been halted since mid-March in a bid to curb the spread of COVID-19 and clubs at all levels are feeling the pinch. Premier League chiefs, due to meet with clubs next week, are committed to finishing the season but there is no indication of when it will resume.