July 26, 2004

S-League CEO Chan King Fook has revealed that the cap limit on team & player salary could be raised in 2005.

Teams are currently allowed to spend a maximum of $64,000 per month on their S-League playing squad, with only 2 players allowed to draw the cap's limit of $7,000 per month each.

Welcoming that would be Home United coach Steve Darby as he certainly hopes the cap is raised next season.

Recently, he had to rely on friendship to woo former Australian international Ned Zelic, who eventually signed for Austrian club FC Tirol.

The reason for that is if the former Borussia Dortmund & Auxerre midfielder had joined the Protectors, he would have earned around $4,000 a month compare to up US$1 million ($1.7 million) a year at his previous club, J-League side Urawa Reds.

He understands the concept of a salary cap in a newly formed league, but cannot think of an example in world football where it has been successful.

Also he felt if a league need to progress it need better foreign players to help the local players & it is a simple fact to him that if you pay more, you can get better foreigners.