League One salary cap plans move step closer despite Sunderland reservations

It comes after the number of clubs required to approve the changes was reduced, a resolution was passed at Monday’s EFL annual general meeting.

The change brings the majority of teams needed to vote in favour down from 75 per cent to a two-thirds majority.

Sunderland boss Phil Parkinson has already made it clear he is ‘not keen’ on the salary cap proposals.

The EFL look set to implement new financial controls in the third tier, with reports suggesting a fixed £2.5million per season salary cap could be introduced as early as next season.

Sunderland are currently allowed to spend 60 per cent of their turnover on playing staff wages but it would mean savings would have to be made if the regulation changes are passed.

Clubs are likely to be given a year-long grace period before being penalised for any breaches of the new-look regulations should they come in, as expected.

Chief executive Jim Rodwell has already stated that while Sunderland will support the introduction of cost controls in the EFL, they would be against a uniform salary cap.

Speaking earlier this week, Parkinson said: “There's been talk about the salary cap which is quite a complex debate going on at the moment.

“I'm not keen on it at all.

“I think clubs should be left to manage their own resources and we're already regulated to a certain degree.”

Speaking generally, Parkinson believes the picture around the transfer market will become clearer over the next month but he believes wages will come down.

The Times claim salary cap plans could be voted on before the start of next season, though there is not set date yet for when that will be following the coronavirus pandemic.

Tentative start dates in August and September have been mentioned by rival League One chiefs but there has been nothing set from the EFL yet.

2019-20 play-off matches will take place in League One and Two over the next few weeks while the Championship and Premier League have resumed their campaigns this week.