A-League side Wellington coach Ernie Merrick "called for an end to the A-League salary cap, arguing the competition is too mature" for a system that has become outdated, according to the AAP. Each club can spend up to A$2.6M ($1.9M) under the cap but is "allowed to sign two marquees outside of it along with a season-long guest player -- essentially a third marquee." With loyalty bonuses and other conditions thrown in, Merrick "believes the set-up has passed its use-by date." Merrick: "I just don't know why we bother with a salary cap. ... I don't know if it is a salary cap anymore, because there is a certain amount you can spend within the cap, then there are all these special, little loyalty bonuses and first-year player bonuses." Merrick, the A-League's longest-serving coach, said that "clubs should be encouraged to spend big." As an example he cited America's Major League Soccer, which has a salary cap of $3.49M along with three "designated players," equivalent to marquees, outside of that. Merrick said, "Why not let people invest big? It just makes the league grow rapidly. That's what's happening in the MLS" (AAP, 7/25). The AAP reported Adelaide United Chair Greg Griffin has warned Football Federation Australia "against loosening the A-League salary cap to accommodate Tim Cahill." As the wait continues for official confirmation of Cahill's high-profile move to Melbourne City, Griffin "revealed his reticence towards the deal," saying FFA should not be bending the rules or contributing any money to A-League signings. Griffin: "My personal view is if you don't fit in, you don't fit in" (AAP, 7/25).
