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I've got no interest in other sports such as Rugby League, Rugby Union, Cricket etc. and I know absolutely nothing about them and how they work, so this is a genuine, albeit obtuse, question on my part.

I'd just like to know if there are any spending limitations for teams in those sports, vaguely similar to FFP, or can their owners simply spend whatever they wish to try and create success ?? If there are any spending restrictions, are they legally enforceable and, if so, what punishments are handed out ??

Or, conversely, are they all perfect paragons of financial prudence and rectitude and never even consider living (even temporarily) beyond their means ??

When I ask this question, I'm only referring to matters in England.

Theres a salary cap in Rugby League - not sure about Union. It's why the Aussies pee all over English clubs by the way.

County cricket teams are free to spend as there are no limits set by the ECB. However, it is very different in that there are no transfer fees. Most of a counties budget will be on player salaries. We are now seeing a lot more star names signing for a couple of months when their schedules allow, usually for the one day games. Presumably they are well renumerated.

It is worth noting that the counties who hold Test matches have noticeably bigger budgets and have a considerable advantage over the counties with no Test ground.

All said though, theres nothing to stop a rich person coming and ploughing money into a county. It just would be seen as "not cricket"

Speedway has a points limit. Average points per meeting is the way a riders performance is measured essentially. As clubs also pay riders by the point, it not only evens out team strengths, but also acts as a kind of salary cap.

Dameerto wrote:Theres a salary cap in Rugby League - not sure about Union. It's why the Aussies pee all over English clubs by the way.

Are any clubs ever accused of infringing the salary cap and, if so, what happens to them ??

Melbourne storm in the nrl had trophies retroactively stripped when their salary cap breaches got found out. More recently Perth glory in our a league who are right at the top end have been found out and barred from the final series.

Pretty Boy Lee wrote:Melbourne storm in the nrl had trophies retroactively stripped when their salary cap breaches got found out. More recently Perth glory in our a league who are right at the top end have been found out and barred from the final series.

I think in rugby league, it's driven a race to find loopholes. Bradford, St Helens and Wigan (off the top of my head) have all been punished at some time or other. My understanding is that the salary cap was initially rather easily circumvented by arranging for a big signing on fee and small salary, and over time other methods have arisen such as sponsors paying salaries directly.

When all's said and done though, whilst it achieved its principal aim of stopping the domination of Wigan, initially St Helens and Bradford dominated, although success now seems to be being shared across the league a bit more evenly.

Ultimately though, the salary cap being limited to revenue (which is the only way it would be accepted in football) unfortunately means that you will still have the big teams at the top more often than not.

Wigan were done when that hippocrit cunt Whelan was there weren't they?