UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has proposed a sweeping rule change that could have implications for Manchester United and Liverpool.
This week, Ceferin proposed limiting players' ability to earn money in Europe by introducing a maximum wage.
Speaking to US outlet Men in Blazers on Tuesday, the UEFA chief admitted that European football's governing body intends to roll out wages "as soon as possible".
Ceferin says:
“Currently we have a new rule after 2024 that you can spend up to 70% of your income on salary and transfers, but that is not enough because if your income is 5 billion VND, then 70% is a lot.
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"It's not about the owner. It's about the merits of the competition, because if five clubs always win, it doesn't make sense anymore.
"But it has to be a collective agreement - every league and UEFA. Because if we do it and the other leagues don't, it makes no sense."
Impact on the Premier League
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Premier League clubs, in particular, will be affected by such measures, with Chelsea, Manchester City, United and Liverpool believed to have some of the highest wage bills in the world.
According to Spotrac, United's estimated total wage costs this season will be £211,875,000, the second highest after Chelsea.
Meanwhile, Liverpool are said to have the fourth highest spending on player wages, reportedly spending £158,788,000 on wages this season. Advertisement
The Premier League's purchasing power is one of the key factors explaining why it is such an attractive proposition for players across the continent. If a salary cap were introduced, United and Liverpool would be a less attractive proposition for their transfer targets.
Furthermore, the Professional Footballers' Association insists players will be "angry" if UEFA introduces a salary cap.
PFA CEO Maheta Molango said on Wednesday:
"[Players] need to be seen as the most important stakeholder and at the center of these conversations. When players read that 'everyone is fine' with their limited pay, I think they will. rightfully angry."
Molango added that the salary cap is "not the solution" to ensure better financial management for leagues and clubs.
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