Football: SURVEY BACKS SALARY-CAPPING

MILLIONAIRE footballers could have their wages slashed as clubs prepare to tighten purse-strings.

A major survey into football has revealed salary-capping is one of the most popular ideas among clubs who fear for the future of the game.

The State of the Nation survey, conducted by MORI for the FA, polled club officials, spectators, players, referees and sponsors. What is worrying is that the survey, conducted from February to May 2002, came before the collapse of ITV Digital, which has plunged lower League clubs into a financial crisis. This week the findings will be made public and distributed to every club as well as UEFA and FIFA.

FA chief executive Adam Crozier said: "The survey was entirely independent - the results are not the FA's views."

Interestingly, fewer than 50 per cent of clubs participated in the survey. Nine of the 20 Premiership clubs declined.

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