Future uncertain for high earners

The safety of Leeds was yesterday finally secured but the futures of a number of star players remain shrouded in mystery.

New chairman Gerald Krasner has not yet had his say on what will happen come the close season when the transfer window reopens. However, advisor Geoffrey Richmond spelt out the scenario in no uncertain terms.

Ironically, Richmond knows only too well the perils and pitfalls of paying big money to players as he handed Benito Carbone a £40,000 (€59,700)-per-week contract during his chairmanship of Bradford.

Richmond was eventually forced to quit City after the club went into administration with debts of £36m (€53.7m), so perhaps some of the unpaid advice he has imparted over the last two months during which the deal has been thrashed out has been useful.

Richmond revealed there are 15 players on contracts worth more than £1m (€1.5m) per year, and one in particular who is earning more than £3.5m (€5.2m) over 12 months.

“In my 15 years in football, as chairman of Scarborough and Bradford, it is impossible to renegotiate the reduction of a contract,” said Richmond.

“Any contract is signed by the club and the player in good faith, and the club are committed to paying that contract.

“There’s no question of the club renegotiating contracts. All the club can do is ensure contracts of that type are not signed in the future.”