http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40958871
I suppose the gesture is to be applauded, but it is sad to the point of being sickening that only one high-profile footballer has followed Mata's example in this respect. Of course, there are questions of how and where the money is spent as there are hundreds if not thousands of charities out there that help no-one but themselves, but to put it into perspective:
If every single player in the EPL made the same pledge as Mata, we'd have appx. £30m going to charities every year. 1% to these guys makes literally zero difference to their lifestyles and quality of living, but that kind of money distributed amongst the most vulnerable and impoverished could make a serious and lasting difference.
Just applying this to my own life...If a footballer on let's say a modest salary of £50k per week were to pledge 1% of his salary to me (£500), that would have an enormous and lasting impact on my family. We'd possibly be able to secure a mortgage, would definitely be able to upgrade our 12 year old banger and might even be able to go on holiday somewhere warm once in a while.
