The Sport Matrix: Friday 8 February 2013

Premier League clubs vote to curb players' wages

Premier League clubs last night narrowly voted to restrict the amount of income from the huge new television deal they can spend on players' wages, with a possible points deduction awaiting any that breach the limit.

The move, which only secured the required majority after League newcomers Reading abstained, is the first step towards the Premier League's own version of financial fair play and will come into effect from next season.

The effect of the measures should be to prevent wealthy new owners being able to turn a club into title contenders in the space of a couple of seasons, as Roman Abramovich, above, did at Chelsea.

Richard Scudamore, the Premier League chief executive, said: "A new owner can still invest a decent amount of money to improve their club but they are not going to be throwing hundreds of millions in a very short period of time."

Chelsea are believed to have voted in favour of the restrictions last night. West Bromwich Albion, Fulham, Swansea City and Aston Villa, however, are understood to have opposed it. page 60Injured Warburton risks Lions place

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