Premier League clubs rebel against salary cap

Several Premier League clubs have expressed their readiness to take legal action against the league if the proposed salary cap is implemented without prior consultation with the 20 clubs. Mahita Molango, chairman of the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA), deemed the move "illegal and illogical," stating that the PFA cannot make such a significant decision unilaterally. He added, "Players cannot be deprived of their right to determine their own wages or have their livelihoods restricted." The new proposal would cap club spending on salaries and agent fees at five times the revenue of the lowest-ranked club, estimated at around £550 million per club. A vote on the proposal is scheduled for November 21st, which would replace the current Financial Fair Play regulations that allow spending of £105 million over three years. Clubs fear the new system could lead to financial crises similar to those experienced by Barcelona after the implementation of strict salary caps in La Liga. Mulengo also pointed out that any unilateral decision would push some clubs to resort to the courts, stressing that "the solution lies in collective negotiation and reaching mechanisms that ensure sustainability without compromising the rights of players or clubs." Premier League clubs are currently subject to dual financial constraints: the first from the league itself, which caps spending at 85% of revenue, and the second from UEFA, which allows clubs participating in European competitions to spend only 70% of their income. These regulations have led clubs like Aston Villa to sell players in order to comply with the financial standards.