Both Sides Blame NFL Stalemate on Free Agency Issue

NEW YORK — A National Football League strike moved a day closer Saturday, and each side blamed the other’s stand on free agency for causing the crisis.

A statement issued by the six-member executive committee of the NFL Management Council said it had made numerous concessions at a meeting Friday between the two chief negotiators, Jack Donlan and Gene Upshaw. But it said Upshaw’s insistence on unrestricted free agency was the stumbling block to an agreement.

But Upshaw, executive director of the NFL Players Assn., said the free-agent issue was being used by management “because they know that’s where their leverage is with the players.”

No new talks are scheduled, and the strike is scheduled to begin Tuesday.