Premier League champions-elect Liverpool have agreed to donate £40,000 (Dh180,200) to Fans Supporting Foodbanks (FSF) while games are suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Liverpool announced on Saturday their players, along with the LFC Foundation, Red Neighbours, and club staff, will step in by making a large donation to North Liverpool Foodbank.
Twenty-five per cent of the charity's donations come from matchday collections and Liverpool will donate £10,000 per game for their four remaining home matches.
New foodbank collection points have been set up at all LFC stores in the city as well as the museum and tours area at Anfield for fans who wish to make a donation.
An online fundraising page has also been created as an alternative to allow supporters to make a financial donation directly to North Liverpool Foodbank.
“The postponement of Premier League matches, particularly the Merseyside derby, means a potential shortfall in donations to the North Liverpool Foodbank – and as a club it is imperative we support its crucial work in the local community even further at this difficult time,” said Matt Parish, LFC Foundation director.
“We hope the collective backing of the club’s first-team players, LFC Foundation and Red Neighbours programmes, and staff, can help to alleviate concerns around the absence of the usual matchday collections.
“Our fans have consistently gone above and beyond in their backing for Fans Supporting Foodbanks in recent years and we would encourage anyone who is able to make a donation at any of our collection points or via the online fundraiser.”
Liverpool’s donation follows on from an open letter by manager Jurgen Klopp to the club’s supporters on Thursday. He said: “First and foremost, all of us have to do whatever we can to protect one another. In society I mean. This should be the case all the time in life, but in this moment I think it matters more than ever.
"I’ve said before that football always seems the most important of the least important things. Today, football and football matches really aren’t important at all.
“If it’s a choice between football and the good of the wider society, it’s no contest. Really, it isn’t.
“The message from the team to our supporters is only about your well-being. Put your health first. Don’t take any risk. Think about the vulnerable in our society and act where possible with compassion for them.”
A number of other Premier League clubs are donating unused match-day food to local charities.
Tottenham Hotspur have provided more than 1,200 items of food for the Felix Project, which collects surplus fresh food to deliver to charities and schools across London. Jose Mourinho's side were due to take on Manchester United on Sunday.
Aston Villa, Brighton, Manchester City and Newcastle United have all made similar donations, as have the likes of Blackburn Rovers, Queens Park Rangers and Fulham in the Championship – England's second tier.
