Has anyone heard more about this? From this piece I can't tell if the anger is that the players want more money, or the clubs want the money.

A row over television cash could end with Premiership stars going on strike.

The Professional Footballers Association insist they have the backing of all 92 clubs with the possibility of industrial action looming.

The row centres on the recent £1billion television deal the Premiership has struck with Sky and ITV.

Previous deals have seen the PFA allocated between five and 10 per cent and have been discussed six months before the new contract started.

But PFA chairman Gordon Taylor is said to be furious as the Premiership has so far said only that the matter would be discussed at a meeting of Premiership chairmen on August 19.

"We are being patient at the moment," Taylor told the Sunday People. "But that patience is wearing thin. You could imagine how serious it could become.

"The Football League and the FA have settled their share of the deal along with the Premiership.

"But the Premiership have not even suggested a figure to us yet. In the past it has been between five and 10 per cent."

The last time a ballot took place in 1996 94 per cent of all professional players came out in support of the PFA.

-- Anonymous, August 12, 2001

Answers

I think Gordon Taylor is a prat. He does not do the PFA any favours by talking about strikes and so on. He also made players look like grasping mercanaries during the debate on changing the transfer laws. I support the unions as much as the next person but I doubt anyone has sympathy with the players the PFA represent. I know they do a good job for the lower league and less rich players but when premiership players are earning millions this kind of stuff it just embaressing for the PFA.

-- Anonymous, August 12, 2001

taylor is the highest paid union official in history.... he earned over £600k last year...

-- Anonymous, August 12, 2001