The Premiership's top stars could go on strike following a decision by the players' union to reject an "insulting" TV cash offer from soccer chiefs.
Every professional footballer in England will be asked to vote next week on whether to take industrial action and so force a blackout of all televised matches due to a row over TV revenue.
The Professional Footballers Association will recommend a strike after being offered less money than last year by Premiership and Football League bosses.
PFA chief Gordon Taylor said: "We have just received what I can only describe as a derisory offer from the Premiership and Football League.
"It is less than last year even though they have more TV revenue. In fact, I will go so far as to say it is an insult and I can only surmise that this is an attempt at a show of strength on their part."
The PFA are entitled to a share of the money generated by screening highlights and live matches and since 1955 have enjoyed a cut of television fees to finance increasing union costs.
But although the Premier League and Football League have negotiated a massive £1billion increase with TV bosses, they are offering the PFA less than the joint payment of £8.85million last year.
"I find that quite amazing at a time when the game has never had more money," Taylor added.
He stressed the PFA's share of TV money did not go to further line the pockets of over-paid Premiership stars but was pumped back into the game through the union's worthy causes.
"We have now gone three months beyond the termination of the money from the last contract," said Taylor.
"As a result we are starting to suspend payments for vital causes such as education, medical and even hardship cases."
PA