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Jack Warner calls for introduction of salary cap
Dean Jones7 Oct 2009
FIFA vice president Jack Warner believes a salary cap is vital to protect football and today urged the Big Four to take the lead in introducing it.
The president of CONCACAF is concerned by the way Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal dominate the Premier League, thanks to their huge financial power.
Speaking at the Leaders In Football summit at Stamford Bridge today, Warner (right) called on those clubs to set up a meeting to discuss the idea of a wages limit.
He said: "A salary cap should be introduced to allow for a more level playing field among clubs. Otherwise, smaller clubs can never compete with high-spending ones. Clubs must come to the table and, for the good of football, agree to a plan.
"Look at the clubs in the Premier League, four clubs have been dominant for the past decade. That will remain to be the same and if that is the type of competition you want, you are doing a disservice.
"United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool are the top four clubs. Today there are some injection of funds in Manchester City through new ownership and that has taken them to a new level. But it is the weight of the pay cheque that allows them to dominate.
"Salary caps will allow more clubs access to good players. The clubs must take initiative."
Football League chairman Lord Mawhinney said at the conference that clubs are risking their futures by paying large wages. He added: "In 2007/08 in the Championship, research shows clubs spent an average of 87 per cent of revenue on players' wages. Is there any business in the world where such a percentage would be sustainable?"
Reader views (6)
This man completes a trio of anti-England fools, along with Blatter & Platini. Although I disapprove of the absurd salaries of some footballers, I do not like the idea of salary caps. I would like to see clubs take a more responsible attitude to what they pay.
- Robinho Gooner, North London, 09/10/2009 10:42
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the Berlusconi of football,the reason why people consider his views,is simple,he has votes to distribute,the way sport is run in the caribbean is a disgrace,just look at West indian cricket
- Bob Hawkins, Beckenham, 08/10/2009 16:43
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Warner is nothing more than a jumped up ticket tout..anyone else in any other walk of life would have been sacked it they'd done what he did...
- Shelly, London, 08/10/2009 15:24
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Why cap the salaries of the players and give all the cash to the owners and Sky? If they want to cap salaries, then they should also cap ticket prices and what Sky can charge to view. That's where the real problem is.
- Nore, London, 08/10/2009 14:34
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what an idiot. the only way a salary cap will work is when every football team in every league agree to a salary cap. the chance of this happening is zero. anyway even if it was agreed the 'clever' clubs will find ways of getting round this, by extra sponsorship, future pension payments, etc. there must be hundreds of ways. a better way to sort this would be to make clubs balance their books.....
- Tony, london, 08/10/2009 13:01
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This man Warner, in my opinion, is the one of the most nefarious football administrators in World football. Why would anybody engage in serious consideration of his views, in any regard, on the operation of the finances in the game ?
- Charlie, Nr. Crackpot, North Yorkshire, 08/10/2009 00:36
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