Professional Footballers' Association boss Gordon Taylor says Premier League players have "agreed to play their part" during the coronavirus pandemic.
Premier League clubs have proposed wage cuts of around 30 per cent for their players, but negotiations with the PFA have hit a stumbling block.
Members are concerned that the money made by their financial sacrifice will not be going to the right places, namely the NHS and public services.
The stalemate has seen the players receive widespread criticism, with health secretary Matt Hancock calling for them to take a cut.
"They've all agreed to play their part," PFA chief executive Taylor told BBC Radio 4's Today programme, adding that players are "responsible enough" to know wages are a factor in any club's expenditure.
"We've been consistent with what we've said from the beginning and the fact is the players feel quite aggrieved that the secretary of state for health should put them in a corner without looking.
"They're not self-employed, they make massive contributions to the Treasury and they've also quite logically felt that if they don't get that money, if a third is deferred or a third is cut, then the Treasury is £200 million a year worse off and that could be going towards the national health and will be needed."
Sunderland furlough playing staff
Sunderland have furloughed first-team players, contracted academy players and backroom staff.
The Black Cats became the second Sky Bet League One club after Portsmouth to utilise the Government's job retention scheme to cover 80 per cent of employees' wages, up to a maximum of £2,500 a month.
Sunderland added there was "no intention to ask any players or staff to take a wage reduction or deferral on their salary" and that all employees will be paid in full.
A statement on the club's official website read: "Sunderland AFC can today confirm that its first-team players, contracted academy players and backroom staff have recently been placed on furlough leave due to the ongoing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
"A small number of staff, including manager Phil Parkinson, continue to work from home, and the club's priority remains the health and wellbeing of its players, staff, supporters and local community during this unprecedented period."
PODCAST: Premier League Weekly
Despite the lockdown and no live football our Premier League Weekly podcast is back talking furlough and best keepers.
Click below to find out how to listen...
Follow Sporting Life on social - find us on Facebook here or tweet @SportingLifeFC
Related football content
- Laura Woods column: How's the bacon?
- PODCAST: Premier League Weekly
- When Liverpool last won the title...
- Football: Legal questions answered
- TV's 3pm blackout lifted
- Premier League: Data predicts final standings
- Le Tiss: The ultimate one-club man
- What has happened to Coutinho?
- Who is the PL's best goalkeeper?
- Who is the PL's best defender?
- Who are the PL's best midfielders?
- Who is the PL's best number nine?
- The best sporting documentaries
- Paper Talk - latest transfer gossip