Players pushing to replace points deductions with huge fines for late payments

A-League footballers want hefty fines dished out to clubs that fail to pay them on time rather than be punished through sporting sanctions that further penalise players who are already out of pocket.

New regulations to prevent non-payment are being negotiated between Professional Footballers Australia and the Australian Professional Leagues as part of their ongoing talks to finalise a new collective bargaining agreement.

In a letter to PFA, the APL promised to introduce stricter regulations to ensure the timely payment by clubs of player wages, superannuation, and reimbursement of expenses.

In response, PFA has tabled “comprehensive protections and sanctions”, including significant fines, to address the “critical matter”.

At various stages across the past two seasons, players from at least four current or former A-League clubs – Newcastle Jets, Perth Glory, Central Coast Mariners and Western United – have received late payments.

The Glory are still behind with their superannuation payments to players, according to PFA.

PFA officials claim that sporting sanctions in the way of clubs being deducted points – which was in the previous CBA that expired on June 30 – only serve to hurt players because it leads to them suffering the “double penalty” of late payments and the loss of points.

“We need much stronger protections to stop the practice of non-payment of player entitlements once and for all,” PFA chief executive Beau Busch said.

“Too often we have seen clubs pay player wages or superannuation late. The current protections do not adequately deter clubs from non-payment.

“As a result players continue to suffer the consequences when clubs fail to live up to their end of the bargain.”

Originally published as Players pushing to replace points deductions with huge fines for late payments