Man Utd and Man City both express outrage towards the Premier League

Both Manchester teams argue that the Premier League’s proposed “salary cap” will undermine the competition’s attractiveness and cause leading players to leave the country.

According to the Daily Mail, 20 clubs in the Premier League will vote on November 21 regarding a spending limit proposal called the “anchor.” This rule is intended to replace the current Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) and aims to reduce the financial gap among clubs in the league. However, this proposal has sparked intense controversy.

Specifically, the “anchor” system will cap a club’s total expenditure—including player wages, coaching staff salaries, amortized transfer fees, and agent fees—at a maximum of five times the broadcasting rights and prize money received by the team finishing last. Based on 2023/24 figures, this cap is approximately £550 million.

If clubs exceed this limit, they may face point deductions—first a warning, then a six-point penalty, plus an additional point deducted for every £6.5 million overspent. Although the exact penalties are not yet defined, many experts fear this rule will strangle top clubs and reduce the league’s competitiveness.

An anonymous executive candidly told the Daily Mail: “This will ruin the Premier League’s reputation as the best league in the world. We are heading towards a disaster.”

Both Manchester United and Manchester City are among the strongest opponents. Billionaire Jim Ratcliffe, co-owner of Man Utd, stated: “This anchor will hold back the top clubs. If they can’t compete with Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, or PSG, this league will no longer be the best in the world.”

Man City shares the same view, warning that the new rule could prompt stars like Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, and Mo Salah to consider leaving England for leagues without spending limits, such as La Liga, Bundesliga, or Saudi Arabia.

Critics also fear the “anchor” rule’s ripple effect on lower divisions. If the Championship adopts similar regulations, recently relegated teams like Leeds, Leicester, or Southampton might immediately breach the spending cap due to their current wage bills exceeding the allowed limit.

The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) has expressed concern that clubs underestimate the negative impact of this rule, which could lower players’ earnings and diminish the Premier League’s global appeal.

For the proposal to pass, at least 14 out of 20 clubs must vote in favor. However, with strong opposition from top clubs and potential legal challenges from the PFA, the “salary cap” plan is likely to face numerous obstacles before it can be implemented in the 2026/27 season.

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