Premier League stars feel that their clubs are trying to influence them with unethical behaviour as teams gear up for the crucial Project Restart vote next week.
Top-flight chiefs have desperately been trying to find a way to return to action, despite hundreds of people still being killed by coronavirus every day in the United Kingdom.
And according to the Mail, Premier League stars are growing increasingly “wary of their employers’ motives”.
This is a crucial week for the league, as it tries desperately to get the show back on the road in order to avoid devastating financial consequences.
But while Premier League officials are all hoping to get things back up and running, not every club feels the same way.
In fact, different clubs appear to hold different party lines, with a divide opening between the top and the bottom.
And it has even been suggested that players feel that it has been hinted that they could benefit from new contracts if they adhere to their club’s stance.
Clubs are also trying to get their senior pros to rally their players, whether that be over Project Restart, or taking wage reductions.
Players will have to sign a Covid-19 code of practice before any resumption.
But there is talk that teams that aren’t keen on the plans to return, are encouraging sceptical players not to sign them.
Enough players not signing up would derail the plans entirely.
And while top clubs are fine with this, desperate to get the season finished, many clubs still threatened by relegation feel that it threatens the integrity of the competition to surrender home advantage.
The earliest possible vote on Project Restart would be next Monday.
Meanwhile, the Premier League meet today to discuss a number of topics, including Boris Johnson’s address last night and potential changes to the transfer window – as well as Project Restart.
