Are top flight professional soccer players overpaid?

Anita Adams

The Golden Slipper, York

'Yes, they are overpaid and probably under-worked. If they earn their pay, fair enough, but I think these salaries ought to be more performance related. I used to watch Leeds United regularly 25 years ago and football in those days was exciting and enjoyable to watch, but I'm not sure it is now. Huge salaries appear to change the characters of young players and they do not behave in a responsible way.

Sue Williams

The Greyhound Hinckley Leicestershire

'When you consider the top players earn far more than our Prime Minister, you have to wonder whether these soccer wages are in the real world.

'If you compare the workload of Tony Blair to that of Rio Ferdinand, there's no contest!

'Footballers may have a short career at the top, but their earnings are still frightening and even after they retire they can still earn good money.

Craig Davis

Manvers Arms

Doncaster

'It's absolutely disgusting and it's the reason that our football is going downhill.

'There should be a cap on how much they can earn in each division, and if the club is relegated, players should get a pay cut.

'But it will never happen because there's so much money in it.

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James Eales

King Edward VII

Stratford

London

'It's incredible, the sort of money they get paid.

'But when you think what some basketball players are earning perhaps £10m a season it makes you think that's the way the world is going.

'I don't think Rio Ferdinand is that good, anyway. If he was playing for West Ham, he would be better!