PFA starts legal proceedings over League One salary cap

The Professional Footballers Association (PFA) has initiated legal action against the English Football League (EFL) in response to changes to salary caps in League One. In May, the EFL announced that Squad Cost Rules (SCR) would replace the Profitability and Sustainability (P&S) financial framework starting in the 2026-27 season.

For League One, the changes would limit clubs' wage spending from 60% to 50% of turnover, with relegated teams from the Championship allowed to spend up to 65% in their first season. Manager pay has been included in the new framework, and clubs are restricted to spending no more than 50% of injected cash from owners on wages. The EFL expressed concern and disappointment over the PFA's legal challenge, stating that the new rules were not a significant change in league regulations impacting player terms and conditions.

The EFL emphasized that the changes aimed to promote responsible cost control and enhance financial sustainability across League One. The PFA contended that the league could not enforce the new measures without the Football Negotiating and Consultative Committee's (PFNCC) full agreement, as the process for introducing the new rules did not align with the consultation and agreement process required by the EFL's membership.