Is now the time to introduce salary caps into football at all levels

In the current economic situation, sport and football clubs in general are having to tighten their belts, like they have not had to do so ever before.

Recently, FIFA President Gianni Infantino reportedly spoke out about this problem by saying that there may well be a need to introduce salary caps in post Covid football.

The curtailment of some leagues along with the absence of paying spectators will certainly have far reaching effects on all clubs, bar the biggest clubs worldwide, and Infantino now feels that this is the time for the game to take a step back and seriously reflect on this growing concern.

“I heard some interesting proposals on a wide range of topics.” he said. “From salary caps to transfer fee caps, to the possible obligation of governing bodies to contribute to a reserve fund which can be of assistant in hours of need such as now.”

He also promised to look into the amount of matches top players are asked to play each season. But surely it was FIFA after all who are mainly responsible for the extreme demands on their players. They for one are the only ones who brought on this problem.

Surely at some point in the coming months there must be a situation where lower wages will have to happen at every single Premier League club. Days of players reportedly earning around 15 million per year will end.

Another possibility could well be a gradual phasing out of the transfer fee system, but the most likely way forward in my opinion would be to bring in a salary cap in all leagues in English football including non-league level as well.

I am sure this would certainly become unpopular with the cream at the top of the Premier League for now, but if a salary cap was introduced it would give every side in their appropriate league the chance to become more competitive.

The likes of the Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea’s and Man Utd would suffer yes, but by bringing in a salary cap this would give other sides a much better chance of aiming for a top six finish.

If this idea was introduced into football at all levels it will always be open to some sides breaking the cap rule, which has happened recently in Rugby Union with Saracens being punished for their misdemeanour’s, but I’m sure this would only amount to a handful at most.

It would also see the end of excessive spending by most clubs, and in so doing secure their chances of surviving in the crazy world of football for many a year to come.