Bristol Rovers could benefit hugely from a loophole in proposed salary cap regulations expected to be implemented by the EFL.
There is a broad consensus among Football League clubs that more financial control is needed following the coronavirus pandemic, with fears clubs could go to the wall if spending is not reined in.
A vote on the proposed annual salary caps – £2.5million and £1.5million for League One and League Two respectively – has been delayed until August 6, with the EFL slated for “making it up as they go along”.
That means any deals completed by that date, or contracts agreed in previous seasons, will only count as £1,300 per week against the cap – according to the Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
Rovers, one of few clubs in League One to be busy in the transfer market so far, announced deals for Josh Grant, Jack Baldwin, Max Ehmer and Sam Nicholson this week.
Those signings, and any that should follow, are likely to earn in excess of that – giving the Gas more room for manoeuvre in the £48,000 weekly salary cap.
Sunderland, Ipswich Town, Portsmouth and Bradford City are the clubs known to be opposed to the notion of a salary cap, and a director for the Bantams has hit out at the EFL over leaving the loophole.
“They’ve actually made the salary cap essentially irrelevant for at least next season if not beyond, however, as we are active in the market this move does enhance our potential options somewhat,” Bradford’s communications director Ryan Sparks told the Telegraph and Argus.
“But it has created a loophole which clearly undermines the whole purpose of the salary cap, in my opinion.
“It appears the EFL are making up the process as they go along and that’s forcing clubs to react to an ever-changing picture. But this may well have come as a result of the pressure we and others have added.”
Many clubs in League One and Two have delayed recruiting players due to the financial uncertainty caused by the pandemic.
Sparks believes those clubs will be unfairly disadvantaged by the EFL leaving clubs who can afford to do business early this loophole.
“We’ve spoken to other clubs in League Two at length and there is outrage at this late change to the proposal, which compromises planning,” he said.
“There are clubs that have already begun recruiting in this division that weren’t aware this was going to happen, ourselves included.
“Likewise, there are financially-struggling clubs who have been unable to start recruiting, given the uncertainty.
“Those clubs have will have taken some solace from believing players signed after June 30 - by their rivals - would count fully against the proposed salary cap, meaning they would be competing on a relatively level-playing field.
“If you play your cards right, though, the salary cap would not affect you for several years if you signed long-term contracts on certain players.”
