FFA announce changes to salary cap

Football Federation Australia has announced a raft of changes to the A-League salary cap for season 2015-16.

A-League clubs will be allowed to sign two international marquee players outside of the salary cap, rather than keep one spot for an Australian marquee. Only one international marquee was permitted under the previous system, as one of the two spots had to be taken up by an Australian marquee player.

Another new rule is the loyalty player rule.

$200,000 is now available outside the salary cap for players who have played between five and ten years at the one club.

The current home grown player allowance outside the salary cap has risen from $150,000 to $200,000. Each club can include three players in this category.

Clubs can also invest in a mature aged rookie outside of the salary cap to keep the dream alive for players in the National Premier League. This player must be over the age of 21, not played in a fully professional competition for the last 18 months and last played football in Australia. This player must be paid at least the Minimum Salary.

A-League clubs that don't spend their entire salary in the two previous seasons, can then spend up to 5% more in the third year, with the extra amount rolling over into the next season.

Guest player roles have also been revised, with guest players now permitted to stay an extra month, upped from 10 weeks to 14 weeks.

The minimum annual salary for players over 21-years-old has also risen from $51,000 to $55,000.

The Salary Cap floor (the minimum amount that needs to be spent) has risen from 85% to 90% of the total salary cap.