Overview
- The Professional Footballers’ Association launched High Court proceedings on Tuesday challenging the English Football League’s adoption of new League One wage controls.
- League One clubs voted in May to cut the allowed share of revenue for player pay from 60% to 50%, to include managers’ pay in the cap, and to limit spending of owner equity injections to 50% on squad wages.
- The EFL says the measures were discussed through the Professional Football Negotiating and Consultative Committee and argues the changes are needed to curb surging losses and heavy reliance on owner funding.
- The PFA says the EFL failed to follow the PFNCC consultation and agreement process and warns the rules could reduce salaries, shrink squads and shorten contracts; the union previously won a legal challenge to pay controls in 2021.
- The High Court decision will determine whether the rules remain in force and will shape whether English football can show credible self-regulation to the new Independent Football Regulator and protect clubs from financial collapse.