Soccer: No sign of peace in TV cash row

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore appears almost resigned to the fact that the dispute with the Professional Footballers’ Association over television money will end up in the courts.

The players’ union last night took the unprecedented step of issuing strike notices to all Premiership and Nationwide league clubs warning that industrial action will take place the weekend after next.

Scudamore responded by issuing a statement in which he claimed the PFA were contemplating ‘‘illegal action’’.

‘‘We are extremely disappointed that while continuing negotiations in good faith in the hope of finding a settlement the PFA decided to issue strike notices without our knowledge,’’ he said.

‘‘Throughout the talks we have tried repeatedly to keep discussions going through not continually dragging matters into the public arena and have suffered the adverse publicity as a result.

‘‘Because of the PFA’s action we must now respond in order to protect the game and its competitions, we will have to take all steps necessary to prevent what we consider to be illegal action.’’

Aston Villa chairman Doug Ellis was equally quick to go on the attack, promising that players will ‘‘suffer very heavily’’ if they decide to go on strike.

Ellis, who admitted he was ‘‘incensed’’ by the decision, insisted he would be today seeking a court injunction to halt the action.

He said: ‘‘If they continue with this strike we will apply to the High Court for an injunction to stop them going on strike.

‘‘If that fails, which I doubt it will, then obviously we will see them in court and consequently I think they will lose and that will be to their detriment.

‘‘I want the players to know that they are going to suffer very heavily, because we are the only country paying substantial monies to the union, and it’s fighting against us.

‘‘The players themselves pay £75 a year - £1.50 a week - to be a member of the PFA.

‘‘Lots of these players are earning £1m a year - £20,000 a week - it is ridiculous.’’

Talks on the dispute broke down yesterday evening despite both sides offering compromise solutions.

Despite the PFA insisting the three footballing bodies had offered £60m over three years, a Premier League spokesman maintained the final offer on the table was still for £50m.

PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor said: ‘‘We failed to reach an agreement and there is still a big gap between us.

‘‘We have sent strike notices out to the chairmen of every club warning of industrial action from December 1.

‘‘It will affect all league games, not Cup or European matches, where there are cameras either for live transmission or recorded highlights, though there is no reason why the games cannot go ahead if the television cameras are not present.’’

FA Barclaycard Premiership champions Manchester United would be involved in the first match affected by any strike, with their Old Trafford clash with Chelsea due to kick off at midday on December 1.