Each of the footballers was/ were given bonuses​

was

Explanation:

was is used for the present and was is used to described the footballers

the use of “as” in the example to draw the resemblance. some more examples of common similes are given below. common examples of simile. our soldiers are as brave as lions. her cheeks are red like a rose. he is as funny as a monkey. the water well was as dry as a bone. he is as cunning as a fox. simile introduces vividness into what we say.

im the one that plot xxx murder