“ 1,400 Football Players “

Q. The situation with out-of-contract players?



EFL CHAIRMAN RICK PARRY:


"We have 1,400 players who are out of contract at the end of June. That is a train coming down the tunnel very, very quickly.

"They are going to be extremely concerned about their futures, because the landscape going forward in terms of wages and costs incurred by the clubs have got to change, there's no doubt about that."

Q. Is there a possibility that squad sizes could be limited?



"Yes. I'm a big believer on restricting squad sizes, particularly in the lower leagues.

"It's being debated at the moment, there are mixed views.

"Personally, I think it's a good idea because at least it's a step in the right direction of exercising control.

"It enables us to reform the loan system, one of the things we are keen to obtain from FIFA is a relaxation with more flexibility on youth loans, being able to take players on short-term loans.

"There is a great concern at Premier League level and within the FA about lack of first-team opportunities for developing talent, 18, 19-year-olds, we can provide ample first-team football.

"So smaller squads of full-time professionals, augmented by up-and-coming talent from up and above helps the Premier League and us economically."

Q. What is your stance on promotion to and relegation from the Premier League?

"Our conversations have been very straight forward, we are expecting three clubs to be promoted, the Premier League is aware of our position on that.

"In all of the conversations we have had with the Premier League, they are expecting three clubs to be relegated.

"There would be a varying degree of outrage from a number of clubs in the Championship (if it didn't happen).

"It would be a breach of the agreement between us, the Premier League and Football Association.

"The safe answer is, it would get very messy. Our expectation is there should be three clubs promoted from the Championship."

Q. The situation with out-of-contract players?



EFL CHAIRMAN RICK PARRY:


"We have 1,400 players who are out of contract at the end of June. That is a train coming down the tunnel very, very quickly.

"They are going to be extremely concerned about their futures, because the landscape going forward in terms of wages and costs incurred by the clubs have got to change, there's no doubt about that."

I would never want it to happen this way but I wonder how many agents have come unstuck by telling their clients not to sign contract extensions a few months ago in the expectation that they would be able to pick and choose come June / July.

Drop in the ocean compared to millions of workers in the UK who may face redundancy.

Drop in the ocean compared to millions of workers in the UK who may face redundancy.

yes but these are human beings too and by the time clubs take what they want probably on wages less than they would have had to pay last season it will probably be the lowest paid 20/40 % or whatever without work.. players that have /had short careers and don't earn much more than other people..

Im sure if clubs offered 1000 to 2000 a week they'd take it. I hope they get buy on it mind. No fu..... sympathy whats so ever. Close the gap between rich and poor.

Im sure if clubs offered 1000 to 2000 a week they'd take it. I hope they get buy on it mind. No fu..... sympathy whats so ever. Close the gap between rich and poor.

Perfect in my opinion, I agree

Im sure if clubs offered 1000 to 2000 a week they'd take it. I hope they get buy on it mind. No fu..... sympathy whats so ever. Close the gap between rich and poor.

Assuming of course, that the club Wants to retain their services. City have four or five players out of contract come the end of June, is the club "obliged" to extend,,,, in the case of two current players, twice?

I think not. Surely Its down to the released players and their agents to sort out their future earnings, not the club?

God knows, they've All done financially very well out of it, in the past.

Im sure if clubs offered 1000 to 2000 a week they'd take it. I hope they get buy on it mind. No fu..... sympathy whats so ever. Close the gap between rich and poor.

Assuming of course, that the club Wants to retain their services. City have four or five players out of contract come the end of June, is the club "obliged" to extend,,,, in the case of two current players, twice?

I think not. Surely Its down to the released players and their agents to sort out their future earnings, not the club?

God knows, they've All done financially very well out of it, in the past.

Great point Rick. When it came to pay cuts and deferrals the players and their Union couldn't cry 'contract law' loud enough. By the end of June those 'out of contract' players have no legal right to expect the already hard pressed clubs to fork out more money they haven't got on these selfish twats.

Mind you if those who are in contract would take substantial pay cut to help out their footballing colleagues that would be another matter. But I won't hold my breath.