Premier League clubs have been accused of living in a "moral vacuum", with players urged to take their share of the financial hit from the coronavirus pandemic as non-playing staff begin to feel the pinch.
Last year's Champions League finalists Tottenham as well as Newcastle and Norwich have faced a backlash for using the British government's furlough scheme, which will guarantee 80 percent of employees' income up to a maximum of ?2,500 ($3,000) a month.
"It sticks in the throat," said lawmaker Julian Knight, who chairs the Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, referring to the use of public funds to prop up wage bills.
"This exposes the crazy economics in English football and the moral vacuum at its centre."
"Where the players have the means and they step forward I think that shows very much that they understand what is happening right now and frankly we will be seeing more of that."
London Mayor Sadiq Khan told the BBC that top-flight players should take the hit. He said: "Highly paid football players are people who can carry the greatest burden and they should be the first one to, with respect, sacrifice their salary, rather than the person selling the programme or the person who does catering."
"It's ridiculous to have clubs deferring their obligations to players and then making big-money transfer signings."