ORIOL Romeu has questioned health secretary Matt Hancock’s decision to call out footballers before realising the full picture.

Saints’ players became the first Premier League team to defer a percentage of their wages to prevent the club from having to place members of staff on furlough.

The first-team squad will see a decrease in their salary until at least the end of June and will eventually be remunerated in full.

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.”

Explaining how Saints came together to ensure all non-playing staff could remain on 100 per cent pay, Romeu 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.”

As well as speaking about the issue surrounding players’ salaries, Romeu also made it clear that he wants the season to be completed.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, football has been suspended indefinitely.

And Romeu wants to see it resumed – when it's safe to do so – even if it means playing until September.

“It would be fairer for Liverpool to be proclaimed champions than Manchester City,” added Saints’ midfielder.

“If someone has to be proclaimed, it has to be the first, but if the league is not over, I think something is missing. They have had a great year, but there are eight games left.

“All the rest, Champions League positions, UEFA, relegations, what are we going to do with it? We proclaim a champion and nothing else, leaving everything to the air.

“I think that if the situation is properly controlled, we can return to normal, even if it ends in September. Personally, I prefer to play the whole season to give champions.”