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SIGNING-ON-FEE'S TOO?
PLAYER POWER KICKS INTO SAS

Just a few days after the Soccer All Stars community were facing up to the fact that their clubs could be going out-of-business due to the player wages crisis that's set to kick in for Season Three, a further announcement made by the Soccer All Stars Executive Board as left them with their mouths further open and literally stuck onto the floor.

From Season Three/S3, players will not only command a wage, but also a signing-on-fee too!  All players that are transferred from Season Three will be able to ask for a set amount as a signing-on-fee, furthering problems for many cash strapped outfits.

After the announcement of the player wages, many managers have surprisingly backed the system, but have also been quick to raise serious questions as to where the necessary revenue will come in to save them.  It's believed that several club managers, including Leeds United's Martin Smutov and Blackburn Rovers Kristoffer Portersson are hopeful of some type of club sponsorship.

Should club sponsorships be allowed, it's thought that money could be generated from season-by-season deals with major company's.  However, lower league sides are still worried that they will fall flat out-of-business, should this strategy be used.  They will fear that the bigger clubs will take all the major deals, which will leave them to pick up the scraps.

Soccer All Stars Development Director ScreamKing agreed with those fears.  He said:  "We are naturally worried about the smaller sides not being able to attract potential investors.  Club sponsorships are definitely an option, but only if we can ensure that they will provide all our teams next season.  We will have thirty-two clubs, and it would be a worry if a couple of them could not get a sponsorship."

It's thought that the SAS Executive Board are looking at a much larger solution, and some type of compromise to the cause.  As it stands, it looks as though literally half the entire Soccer All Stars league will not be able to afford the introduction of player wages, which causes a massive headache for the higher authorities.

However, ScreamKing was adamant that a solution could be found.  He stated that the Board had been locked in discussions in private and had 'a number of potentially interesting offers' that could possibly be the saviour that all clubs are looking for.  However he stated that under no circumstances would any details be released until everything was finalised.  He said:  "There is so much to sort out that it would be silly to come out and say one thing, and then change it later.  We are working very hard to ensure we get everything spot on.  When we feel we have come up with the right solutions and methods, we will announce it to all clubs first.  We'll justify our reasons for certain decisions and will hopefully get everyone's backing."

With players now being able to command a signing-on-fee too, the future is starting to look rather bleak.  ScreamKing commented on the latest situation.  He said:  "It's obviously a rather sad time.   The power has suddenly switched from the employers to the employee's.   We have never seen such a drastic change and it's probably going to take a couple of seasons to get accustomed to.  We do expect that one or two clubs will be seriously stretched beyond their imagination, which is all down to management to.  I am urging all managers to really look towards the future and think carefully about their purchases, as everything will have an effect soon."

Despite the announcement of player wages a few days ago, managers still seem interested in making purchases for players.  They'll suddenly be even more interested in signing players this season, knowing they can get away without forking out a signing-on-fee for the player.  It's a tricky situation for all managers and clubs to be in.  No-one really knows how much they can and can't afford, and the effects it will have on their futures.