Soccer: Strike may lead to court action

Ipswich chairman David Sheepshanks has suggested that the Premier League would take the Professional Footballers’ Association to court should players in England strike.

The players’ association have lobbied for footballers to withdraw their labour should they not get 5% of the latest television deal.

The PFA received £8.8m last season as part of the deal’s distribution but chief Gordon Taylor is holding out for a percentage rather than a lump sum for future payments.

Sheepshanks, who was Football League chairman for two and a half seasons before Ipswich’s promotion to the top flight, said: ‘‘I don’t think our players have any dispute with the club.

‘‘My understanding of the legal situation is that the PFA cannot call players out on strike because they aren’t in dispute with the clubs.

‘‘My understanding is that the Premier League will challenge any call for strike action - it’s illegal.

‘‘If the PFA really thought it was best on a percentage basis they should have been knocking on the door last year.’’