Players are told: One last chance

Hopes of a settlement in the dispute which is threatening football with its first ever strike were raised today when the game's governing bodies offered players' union chief Gordon Taylor one last chance.

The Premier League, Football League and Football Association unexpectedly delayed plans to apply to the High Court for an injunction to block the strike, which has been called by the Professional Footballers' Association for 1 December.

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said he remained hopeful that talks, which broke down last night, could be resumed as soon a possible. But he defended the football authorities' offer of £50 million over three years which he said should be more than enough to fund a union which represents players who are already well paid.

Scudamore said: "What we need to do is negotiate a settlement. That's our first priority. There is a stage at which it's possible to go and ask a court whether this strike action is lawful or unlawful.

"That does not, however, settle the dispute. It just decides whether it is a protected or unprotected action. It will not stop it. It just changes the environment in which the action will take place.

"We will now do everything in our powers to stop it getting that far. No one at this stage can say what the damage would be to the game if we fail."

Today's conciliatory move puts the pressure back on Taylor, who angered the leagues by the way he used a break in talks at 9.30pm last night to issue strike notices to clubs.

FA chief executive Adam Crozier, who has acted as an arbiter in the discussions so far, is now expected to step in and try and persuade the PFA to reopen negotiations.

There is no possibility of the television companies staying away from grounds to allow the games to be played.

Nationwide League chief executive David Burns said: "Cameras will be at the football grounds that weekend. Players have an obligation to the clubs. They have a standard contract - if they are chosen and selected to play they are obligated to play. If they don't that will be a matter between them and their club."

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