Los Angeles (AFP)
Disagreements between the North American Football League (MLS) and the Players' Union (MLSPA), particularly on the salary field, threaten the resumption of the competition suspended for two and a half months because of the coronavirus, local media reported on Monday .
According to ESPN, the MLS has set Tuesday at midday for the deadline for the MLSPA to approve its proposals to modify the collective agreement, failing which it would institute a lockout (employer strike).
In February, the body and the union reached an agreement on the implementation of this new collective agreement. However, the coronavirus pandemic prompted the MLS to modify certain conditions and the agreement has still not been ratified.
The MLSPA said Sunday that its members had voted for a counter-proposal that includes a number of concessions, including cuts in wages and bonuses. But while the MLSPA has offered to accept a 7.5% pay cut, the MLS wants the cuts to be 8.75%, says ESPN.
According to the Washington Post, there are at least two other major obstacles to a formal agreement.
The MLSPA rejects the MLS proposal that would give players a smaller share of the revenues from a television rights contract to come into effect in 2023.
The union is also opposed to the principle of a force majeure clause that would allow owners to impose wage cuts and suspend contracts in the event of a new pandemic. As such, ESPN says that the league would be able to withdraw from the collective agreement if five teams showed a drop of 25% in the number of spectators.
The season has been on a forced break since March 12 due to the spread of Covid-19. Only two days had been contested. Failing to take it back, the MLS is working to organize a tournament organized in Orlando, Florida, in early July.
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