League One and Two clubs respond angrily to wage cut forced on players

‘My players are furious’: League One boss reveals turmoil as EFL players start backlash against PFA after they agreed deal to conditional wage deferral up to 25 percent which may lead to cuts

• A PFA and EFL deal forced a 25 percent wage cut on League One and Two players
• Players from the two divisions have reacted angrily to the deferral ruling 
• League Two footballers earn up to £6,000-a-week before tax
• Learn more about how to help people impacted by COVID

Clubs in League One and Two have vented their fury at the English Football League (EFL) and the Players’ Football Association (PFA) for forcing wage referrals on their players. 

In a deal struck between the PFA and EFL, players in the third and fourth tiers of English football have been told to defer up to 25 percent of their salaries during the month of April due to the coronavirus outbreak. 

Players in Leagues One and Two earning less than £2,500-a-week will still be paid in full, but news of the deal has not gone down well with clubs from the two divisions.

League One and Two clubs have reacted angrily to a 25 percent player wage deferral ruling

A deal between the PFA and EFL, led by Rick Parry (above), told all players to take the wage cut

One League One manager told The Sun: ‘My players are absolutely furious. It is a disgrace. 

‘The deferrals are conditional — but some clubs will say the conditions are that the games have to be watched by fans and that will not happen. All the games will be played behind closed doors, so it will be a cut. 

‘The union needs to be talking to their players first. There has been no communication. Some clubs will do anything to avoid paying their players.’ 

One club chairman added: ‘It’s as clear as mud. I do not know why they came up with the 25 per cent figure and then put pressure on the clubs and players. 

A back-up squad player in League One can earn around £400,000-a-year before tax

Weekly salaries for League Two players, such as Salford’s Darron Gibson, can go up to £6,000

 ‘The EFL and PFA have washed their hands of it.’ 

According to information obtained by Sportsmail, weekly salaries for League Two players can rise up to £6,000, while a back-up League One player can take home £400,000 a year before tax.  

Meanwhile, EFL clubs are set to vote on whether to bring in a salary cap on players to help maintain a level playing field and prevent clubs from going bust.

Following financial difficulties faced by EFL clubs over the past 12 months, including Bury’s expulsion at the start of this season, the Football League are creating a tougher stance under new chairman Rick Parry. 

Parry is set to bring in automatic three-point deductions for any club who fails to pay their players at the end of each month, while it will be mandatory for clubs to present their financial figures and expected turnover to the EFL at the start of each season.

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