Salary caps in the EFL could be a step closer after clubs voted to reduce the threshold required to change financial rules.
League One and Two look set to enter a ballot on salary caps in the coming weeks, with the majority of clubs understood to be on board with the idea.
The proposals include a squad budget of £2.5million in the third tier, while League Two clubs would be given a budget of £1.25million.
Bonuses and other clauses included in players’ contracts would come under the same umbrella.
Clubs from across the league have been releasing some of their highest paid players on their retained list in recent weeks, with Bristol Rovers letting the likes of Liam Sercombe, Tony Craig and Tom Nichols go as they attempt to reduce the wage bill.
The path to salary caps looks to have been cleared after the level of support needed to pass legislation was lowered following Monday’s digital AGM.
Previously, 75 per cent support of a division was needed to pass, but that has now been brought down to two-thirds, which could show a willingness to implement caps on teams in all three of the EFL’s leagues.
Restrictions on the size of squads are also likely to be introduced, with clubs likely to be limited to 20 senior professionals, although players under the age of 21 will be exempt from the cap.
Talks have also reportedly been held over owners providing written guarantees to the EFL before the start of the new season that they have the means to pay wages throughout the campaign.
The move is hoped to prevent clubs from falling into the sort of financial difficulties that saw Bury’s expulsion from the league, while the likes of Macclesfield and Bolton have also been handed penalties over the past 12 months.
Clubs may be asked to forward any projected excess in salaries to a financial ombudsman at the beginning of any given season.
