Bayer Leverkusen Boss Predicts 50/50 Chance of Salary Cap in Soccer
Fernando Carro, the boss of German Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen, has hinted that a salary cap in soccer could become a reality within the next two years. Carro, a member of several international soccer committees including the European Club Association (ECA), shared his view with the "Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger" newspaper. "It's being discussed, even with UEFA. It's not easy because not everyone wants it. But I see a 50/50 chance that a limit will come in the next two years," Carro stated.
Carro, known for his liberal views, admitted that the skyrocketing salaries in soccer have forced him to advocate for a salary cap. "I'm actually a liberal person, but the spiral in soccer is going so high that a salary cap is necessary," he said.
Besides pushing for a salary cap, Carro also expressed concerns about the international football calendar. "The fact that the Africa Cup is played in the middle of the season is unacceptable," Carro remarked. Determined to change this, he pledged to challenge FIFA on the issue and explore potential legal loopholes to prevent the release of players for the continental tournament. However, he acknowledged that this option might not be realistic.
The Africa Cup, scheduled to take place in Côte d'Ivoire in January and February, poses a particular challenge to Bayer Leverkusen. Five of their players – center forward Victor Boniface, winger Nathan Tella (both Nigeria), Edmond Tapsoba (Burkina Faso), Odilon Kossounou (Ivory Coast), and Amine Adli (Morocco) – are national players representing African Cup participants.
Carro's pursuit of a salary cap in soccer is not limited to the Bundesliga. He is actively discussing the possibility with UEFA and ECA, aiming to level the playing field in Europe's top leagues.
Enrichment Insight: Although the provided sources do not explicitly detail the prospects or discussions surrounding a salary cap in soccer from Bayer Leverkusen's perspective, the general topic of salary caps in professional sports is a significant one. The team's performance and strategy, as well as broader financial and strategic considerations, play crucial roles in these discussions.
