Wrexham captain Ben Tozer has condemned the Football Associations' new proposals for non-league contracts. Players in the National League and below are threatening strike action in protest of changes that will dramatically impact wages.
As of next season, clubs will only be forced to pay injured players in full for up to 12 weeks. After that, they can reduce wages to statutory sick pay - currently £99.35 a week - or release them from their contract altogether.
The argument is that changes will help make clubs in the lower leagues more financially sustainable. However, the plans have been met with fierce backlash - with players even threatening to down tools.
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Wrexham skipper Tozer, formerly of Newcastle United, has created a WhatsApp group with other National League captains and penned a joint letter to the FA calling for a rethink. The 33-year-old admitted players were stunned to discover the news in midweek.
“We found out at the start of the week," he told talkSPORT. "The FA basically sent out an email asking for the opinion of the PFA on the contract situation. We didn't know what that situation was.
“Now we know that, if you're injured for 12 weeks, the club will be entitled to put you on statutory pay. They can also release you so it puts the player in no position of power whatsoever.
“You put your body on the line for the club week in, week out. You don't expect them to then release you or put you on statutory pay 12 weeks after that happens.
“I couldn't imagine trying to apply for a mortgage with this contract in place because you're three months away from getting released or being put on £99 a week. We just want to have a conversation with the FA, see what their thinking is behind this and if it can be corrected or squashed.”
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