Wage cap ‘unlawful’, EFL is told

The English Football League has been warned it would be “unlawful” to try to railroad through salary caps as the Professional Footballers’ Association gears up for a fight over the issue.

Gordon Taylor, the PFA chief executive, told The Daily Telegraph this month that English football will be inviting “Saracens-style” controversy if it opts to introduce salary caps that he fears would be open to widespread abuse and serve as a deterrent to future investors.

Now the PFA has circulated a document to its members informing them their clubs are not allowed to cut their wages without permission and that a salary cap could not be drafted in without proper consultation with the players’ union.

EFL clubs are expected to vote on new budgetary controls that could limit annual spending on wages to £2.5 million in League One and £1.25million in League Two, in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis. Championship clubs are also in talks about a cap, which could range between £18 million and £20 million.

“It would be unlawful for the EFL and its clubs to vote on this issue and change the EFL regulations without first consulting the PFNCC [Professional Football Negotiating and Consultative Committee], which is the appropriate forum for matters relating to players contracts,” the PFA wrote in its letter to players.

“Your club cannot change your salary without your consent. If you are told by your club that your salary has to reduce in line with the proposed salary cap, please contact your local PFA contact.”