Wishart takes swipe at Budge over player deal threats

UNION bosses have pleaded with Scottish clubs not to exercise the nuclear option of suspending all player contracts — and delivered a thinly-veiled swipe at Hearts owner Ann Budge over her threat to terminate deals if employees don’t take pay cuts. And PFA Scotland chief executive Fraser Wishart has demanded that clubs open the books to players, show them exactly where all the money is going — and prove that they are not using the current crisis to illegally terminate the employment of unwanted talent. A number of players across Scotland have consulted lawyers after learning that the standard SPFL contract contains a potentially ruinous get-out clause in favour of employers. The small print says that any suspension of football by the SFA would allow clubs to simply stop payment of wages until the game resumes. That puts Budge’s ultimatum, demanding players either accept a 50-per-cent reduction in salary or consider terminating their contracts, in a fresh light — because it effectively removes the third option of a footballer simply refusing and expecting their usual payments to continue. Wishart weighed in on behalf of his members last night, pleading for common sense and co-operation to prevail — and stressing that players will wait for their money if it means keeping clubs afloat. ‘We would implore the clubs to speak to the players to find achievable and realistic outcomes for the unprecedented situation we find ourselves in rather than serving ultimatums,’ said Wishart, in a clear dig at Budge (left). ‘If we all work together, we can find solutions which both sides are happy with. We know that on the players side, there is a willingness to do this. ‘They will do their bit and consider ALL reasonable options including wage reductions or deferrals. ‘However, they would only do so after full financial disclosure by the clubs. ‘This is only fair and would, in the interests of transparency, allow fully informed financial decisions. ‘It follows that there would also need to be clarity and assurances on future spending in the next transfer window from all clubs. ‘This exercise cannot be allowed to be a mechanism for selective cancellation of valid employment contracts. ‘Rather than become embroiled in legal disputes, it makes perfect sense to me that we all work together to find our way through this awful situation — but this can only be down through honest and transparent dialogue.’