Soccer: Taylor could face u-turn from players

Reports suggest that Professional Footballers’ Association chief executive Gordon Taylor could face a revolt from within his own ranks regarding strike action over the television revenue row.

Taylor received overwhelming support from his members earlier this month when over 99% of votes cast were in favour of industrial action.

However, the media coverage of his hardline stance has now allegedly seen an about-turn in the players’ backing for the proposed strike action due to begin on December 1.

It is claimed that ‘‘Premiership stars are having second thoughts about going on strike’’.

Tottenham striker Les Ferdinand has said: ‘‘We don’t want to go on strike and we still hope there will be a compromise.

‘‘Perhaps if the leagues up their offer some more, there will be a second ballot on that offer. That would not be a bad thing.’’

An unnamed current England international said: ‘‘A while ago we listened to the PFA telling us how the Premier League was refusing to stick to a previous agreement that guaranteed it 5% of TV money.

‘‘We were also told that we could not face legal action from our clubs.

‘‘Now we hear that neither of these things is true. You tell any player that he is about to lose wages or even his job and there is no way he would strike.

‘‘I have been listening to players in the dressing room at my club and the mood is different. I think if there were another ballot, the result would be very different.’’

It is also reported that anxious football stars last night called on both sides to settle their increasingly bitter row over TV cash.

Newcastle full-back Warren Barton said: ‘‘Hopefully the strike doesn’t take place. We don’t want it to happen and hopefully there is still plenty of time to sort it all out.’’

His Magpies team-mate Shay Given added: ‘‘I think the whole thing has maybe gone a bit too far and I’d like to see the two sides bend a little and meet in the middle.’’