Premiership responds to Asian effort
Thursday, 30 December 2004 21:55England's 20 Premier League clubs today donated £1million to the relief effort for the victims of South Asia's devastating tsunami.
The 20 clubs each pledged £50,000 to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) which is co-ordinating the relief effort.
The Premier League also announced that a minute's silence would be observed by all the Premiership clubs who had not already done so this weekend, as a mark of respect to the victims of the disaster.
Chief executive Richard Scudamore said: "I think everyone has been taken aback by the sheer enormity of events following the Indian Ocean earthquake.
"The Premier League and our clubs have strong connections throughout the region and there was a real feeling amongst the clubs that we should do something as a collective to try and alleviate some of the pain and suffering that is so evident across those areas affected by the tsunami."
Sports minister Richard Caborn told the Press Association: "I am very pleased that football has responded in this way.
"This contribution means that £1million will come from the 20 Premier League clubs immediately and more will follow as most are also organising their own fund-raising efforts."
Scottish giants Celtic have also made a £20,000 donation to the appeal and Brendan Gormley, the DEC's chief executive, welcomed the donations.
He said: "It's wonderful that the clubs are joining in the public outpouring of sympathy for men, women and children in desperate need."
