Southampton midfielder Oriol Romeu has questioned Matt Hancock's decision to call out footballers for not taking a wage cut.

The British Health Secretary said footballers should volunteer to take pay-cuts in order to ease the financial burden caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Speaking to Spanish outlet La Vanguardia, Romeu said: "The minister of health has come out asking for a cut in salaries for footballers, which did not make much sense from what I saw either.

"If you cut wages, you stop making your social security tax payments.

"People try to demand, but I am sure that many times they speak without having all the information, without knowing everything that has been collaborated."

Romeu also explained how the players came to a decision on the deferral.

He added: "We had been talking to the club for days.

"The intention was to have a sufficient amount to ensure that everyone who charged lower amounts was covered and had no contract problems. That was the objective.

"We calculate how much was needed and set aside that money for the day the club needs that liquidity.

"It was important for us to be prepared in case this takes three or four more months."