PREMIER LEAGUE and EFL clubs could be hit with a transfer ban if they haven’t paid back players who defer wages during the coronavirus crisis, according to reports.
It is deemed unfair for sides to be able to add to their wage bill when players already in the squads are yet to be reimbursed.
According to The Times, talks have already begun within the EFL board to discuss the matter after it was raised by the PFA.
The report also adds that any money received from transfer fees of sold players should first be given to the players who agreed to the deferrals.
Southampton and West Ham were the first Premier League clubs to agree to reduce some of their pay for a temporary period as the financial struggles from Covid-19 take their toll.
Arsenal and Chelsea are among the other sides closing in on an agreement to adjust their players’ wages.
The Gunners’ boss Mikel Arteta intervened to try and end the squad disharmony with two of 27 not agreeing to the suggestion.
The Athletic claim a majority of the Gunners squad are willing to accept pay cuts of up to 12.5 per cent each month for a year – but could each receive a £500,000 bonus for reaching the Champions League.
An official announcement is set to confirm the news later as they become the first club to announce an agreed pay cut.
The pay decrease is believed to be on a sliding scale and is dependent on Arsenal qualifying for the Champions League, with the deduction occurring monthly from now until March 2021.
However, it remains to be seen how the individuals who have rejected the pay cut will be affected.
Should Arsenal make deferrals and then be slapped with a transfer ban, that could be bad news for Pablo Mari.
The Brazilian defender, 26, moved to the Emirates on loan in January and has revealed he wants to make the switch permanent this summer.
Across London at Stamford Bridge, it is claimed Chelsea’s players are more open to deferring their wages, rather than cuts.
If the club were able to get the players to agree to a cut in their wages, it would save the club in the region of £10million.
Captain Cesar Azpilicueta has been a real driving force when it comes to encouraging his team-mates to take a financial hit, sending a group message out suggesting they accept the ten per cent pay reduction.
The Blues were unable to sign players last summer after being hit with a transfer ban from Fifa for their signing of minors.
Further down, sides across the EFL have deferred wages, such as Wigan Athletic and Swansea City, while others have furloughed staff to save money with very little income at this time.
And the clubs who are committing to paying wages in full do not want to be disadvantaged in the transfer window.
Any rule change, which would not apply to clubs who agreed wage cuts with players, would need to be voted through by clubs but The Times add that it is likely to be approved.
