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The Premier League is facing one of its most significant moments in the last decade.
All 20 clubs gather this Friday to vote on three new financial proposals that could fundamentally reshape how English football operates.
The biggest decision centers on “anchoring” – essentially a wage cap that would limit how much every club can spend on player wages and transfer fees.
Think of it as a hard ceiling: all 20 Premier League sides would be restricted to roughly the same spending amount, regardless of how much money they generate themselves.
The current rules, known as Profit and Sustainability (PSR), allow clubs to lose up to £105 million over three years. This system has been riddled with loopholes, prompting calls for reform.
The three proposals being voted on according to the Athletic are: anchoring (the controversial spending cap), Squad Cost Rule (SCR, which restricts spending to a percentage of club revenue), and Sustainability and System Resilience (SSR, which ensures clubs can meet financial commitments).
Proposal What is it? What does it mean?
Anchoring (Salary Cap) Limits club spending on wages and transfers to a fixed maximum. All clubs capped at the same level, reducing financial gaps between teams.
Squad Cost Rule (SCR) Restricts squad spending to a set percentage of revenue. Clubs must keep wages and transfers under 85% of their income.
Sustainability & System Resilience (SSR) Ensures clubs can meet short- and long-term financial obligations. Extra checks to prevent clubs from falling into financial trouble.
For any proposal to pass, at least 14 of the 20 clubs must vote in favour. Anchoring is expected to face the most resistance, with Manchester City and Manchester United openly opposed.
Liverpool, under FSG ownership, is expected to support all three proposals. The Reds are among a group including Aston Villa, Everton, Sunderland and Burnley backing the overhaul.
For the wider game, anchoring represents an attempt to reduce the growing financial inequality plaguing English football.
With most clubs posting regular losses despite the league’s commercial dominance, the Premier League believes reform is essential.
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