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Townsend believes players must give back: Fans 'effectively pay our wages'

Sebastian Frej/MB Media / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Andros Townsend believes it's a player's "role" to support the public during crises such as the coronavirus pandemic, and aims to do his bit by joining the #FootballUnited initiative.

The Crystal Palace winger has teamed up with Manchester United right-back and former teammate Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Arsenal's Hector Bellerin, and other Premier League footballers who are trying to raise £100,000 to help local communities through the global emergency.

"These guys, they support us on a Saturday through thick and thin. The general public effectively pay our wages with their season tickets and their subscriptions to the TV services so, at times like this, we have to give back," Townsend said, as reported by BBC Sport.

"Crystal Palace is calling up season-ticket holders, making sure they are OK and seeing if they need any help with shopping or any other errands. Wilfred Zaha is giving properties to NHS workers.

"So everyone is trying to find their own little way to kind of help in these troubled times and hopefully I can do that with #FootballUnited."

On Thursday, the mortality rate in the United Kingdom exceeded 100 in a 24-hour span for the first time since the onset of COVID-19. Nearly 12,000 cases have been uncovered in the country, with 578 deaths.

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