Football Federation Australia (FFA) and the Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) group are in a dispute over player payments, amid comments that have shocked FFA boss David Gallop.

Gallop responded on Wednesday to PFA chief Adam Vivian’s comments FFA was withdrawing recognition of the player union body.

“FFA is shocked by the inaccuracies in the PFA’s media comments of yesterday (Tuesday) and today (Wednesday),” Gallop said.

“FFA continues to be committed to ensuring an appropriate MoU (memorandum of understanding) is agreed between FFA and the PFA, as part of a CBA (collective bargaining agreement), and any assertion that FFA intended to move forward without a CBA or MoU is wrong.”

“FFA will continue to recognise the PFA and the role it plays and was preparing for an agreed face-to-face meeting with the PFA regarding the CBA this morning (Wednesday), which was cancelled by the PFA after the scheduled start time.”

The football governing body and the players’ union are in disagreement over a number of issues including a proposed salary cap freeze.

The PFA said it was caught unawares after FFA announced changes to the salary cap and the player roster framework, a claim Gallop has dismissed – strike action has not been ruled out.

The changes to the A-League salary cap and player payments were detailed by FFA as follows:

– a loyalty player payment of up to $200,000 outside the existing salary cap for players who have played between five and 10 years at a club

– a mature age rookie allowance – over the age of 21, who hasn’t played in a professional league for 18 months (or greater), who last played in Australia – can be paid outside the salary cap

– the existing two marquee player contracts which fall outside of the salary cap are no longer restricted to one Australian and one foreigner. Now clubs can list two Australian or two foreigner players or one of each as their marquees

– salary cap banking will allow clubs to roll over any monies not spent within the salary cap over two seasons into the subsequent season (allowing up to 105 per cent of the salary cap in that subsequent season)

– the minimum amount payable within the salary cap will increase from 85 per cent to 90 per cent.

– guest players are now permitted a 14 week spell – previously it was 10.

– the minimum salary of players over 21 years old has increased from $51,000 to $55,000.

The salary cap remains at $2.55 million and the increase to the minimum spend by clubs has risen to $2.29 million.