2 hours ago
3
Three of football's most influential agencies have issued a stern warning to the Premier League, stating they will pursue legal action if a salary cap is introduced.
Top-flight clubs are set to vote on Friday regarding the implementation of 'anchoring' from next season, a move that would limit team spending to five times the prize money and broadcast revenue paid to the club finishing bottom. The ultimate goal is to level the playing field.
Prominent agency firms CAA Stellar, CAA Base and Wasserman have united in opposition to this proposal, outlining their plans to Premier League executives should the vote not go in their favour.
This follows the PFA's threat of legal action ahead of a crucial shareholders meeting, as reported by the Daily Mail. The trio of firms argue that such a move would violate competition law, making legal action a very real possibility.
These agencies represent high-profile players such as Jack Grealish, Cole Palmer, Eberechi Eze, Curtis Jones and John Stones.
However, not all clubs are in agreement with the proposed changes, with both Manchester clubs among the dissenters. Each team is expected to prioritise their own ambitions, with the so-called lesser clubs and those with less financial power potentially benefiting from any cap introduction.
Should the vote pass, it would result in a spending cap limiting clubs to an outlay of $723 million. Both Manchester teams, for example, fear that the cap could drive talent away from the Premier League, towards countries where they could earn more.
Last year, when the clubs were initially balloted, Arsenal was among the 16 who voted in favour. For the change to be implemented, it would require the support of 14 clubs.
This week, the PFA will meet with captains from all 20 top-flight sides, with some speculating that the game is on the brink of civil war.
PFA chief executive Maheta Molango stated last week: "The reality is that you cannot artificially cap someone's ability to make a living as this would just not withstand any legal challenge."
The Championship is contemplating adopting a similar system, which could lead to similar disagreements given that some clubs will have recently been relegated from the top flight while others will be accustomed to League One income.
One club executive expressed his concern by saying: "This will kill the status as the best league in the world and all the money that brings. It feels like we are being sleepwalked into disaster."
English (US) ·