Players' strike: Deal not done but close to resolution

The warring parties in the players’ strike were today close to resolving the dispute.

The Professional Footballers’ Association even went as far as to announce on their official website that the dispute had been resolved, but later a spokesman said that a final agreement was yet to be reached.

That was confirmed by the Premier League, though it is understood the gap between the sides is so close that a deal should be finalised today.

A PFA official said a news conference would be held at the Hilton Hotel, Manchester Airport, although a specific time has not been announced.

Both the union and Premier League have indicated that there has been significant progress, although the PFA clearly jumped the gun with their initial announcement.

The warring parties in the dispute which has threatened to split the game met again today in an attempt to find a solution before the matter ended up in court.

The Premier League and Football League yesterday launched legal action in a bid to prevent industrial action taking place.

But a meeting with the PFA was arranged for today with both sides anxious to avoid a court hearing and PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor said this morning that the talks had been ‘‘positive’’.

Matches on the first weekend in December had been targeted for strike action if the footballing bodies did not improve their offer of £50m over three years (£16.7m per annum).