A-League clubs have "savaged player representatives for their conduct during pay negotiations and pledged to implement" their offers anyway, according to the AAP. Professional Footballers Australia "rejected the final pay deal" put forth by A-League clubs and Football Federation Australia last week, leading to the expiration of the collective bargaining agreement on June 30. Adelaide United Chair Greg Griffin, who represented the clubs through the six-month negotiations, said that the PFA is "threatening the league's viability by painting an unreasonably bright picture of the state of the game." Griffin said that clubs would "fall over if asked to substantially increase player payments." Griffin: "Three clubs will turn a profit this year, the rest will not." Griffin said that the PFA would "effectively be sidestepped." He added, "The door is closed." It is understood the new six-year deal "holds the salary cap steady" at A$2.55M ($1.9M) a season, which is effectively paid for by the proceeds of the league's broadcast deal with Fox Sports and SBS. A "much-discussed new 'loyalty player' clause" will allow clubs to spend up to A$200,000 ($150,590) more on long-serving players outside the cap. Under the terms of the new deal, it is understood that 30% of any increase in broadcast funds would "flow to players" (AAP, 7/6).
