Report: EFL's wage cap proposal could be delayed - good news for Portsmouth and Sunderland

It’s been suggested that the EFL’s bid to introduce a wage cap on clubs like Pompey might be put back a year.
League clubs have been in discussions regarding a wage cap.  Picture: Bryn Lennon/Getty ImagesLeague clubs have been in discussions regarding a wage cap.  Picture: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images
League clubs have been in discussions regarding a wage cap. Picture: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images

That’s according to the Daily Mirror’s John Cross, who claims the proposal could be put on hold for 12 months because of time constraints.

Clubs have been in talks over the plans, which would see League One teams operate with a £2.5m salary cap. League Two clubs would have a wage ceiling of £1.25m, with Championships sides allowed to spend £18m per season.

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However, no agreement has been reached, with the Blues joined by the likes of Sunderland in being against the current proposals.

Despite belng firm believers in football sustainability, Pompey chief executive Mark Catlin branded the current proposals as an ‘absolute disgrace’ and insisted it’s possible introduction ahead of the new season was already impacting on Kenny Jackett’s transfer plans.

There, newly-promoted Coventry, Rotherham and Wycombe will be handed the opportunity to shape League One’s salary cap – despite no longer being in the division.

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Further talks are reportedly scheduled for next week, with the EFL confident the proposals can be rolled out ahead of a planned September 12 opening of the 2020-21 season.

But according to the Mirror’s chief football writer, clubs have been telling both players and agents that the wage cap could be delayed until the 2021-22 campaign due to a lack of time.

He added that Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) bosses have ‘written to every player to tell them it would be “unlawful” to bring in a cap without permission’.

As a result, such opposition is causing even more hold-ups for the EFL.

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The PFA has insisted it would not stand in the way of wage caps, with clubs’ finances being hit hard by the coronavirus.

However, it wants to be fully consulted during the process, which could drag on over the coming weeks and months.

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