Premier League: Liverpool and Manchester United propose big changes in English football | Football news

Liverpool owners have put together a proposal to change the voting structure of the Premier League, as well as the funding models of the English League and Football Association, which is supported by Manchester United.

The proposal, called ‘Project Big Picture’, includes several other major changes to the structure of English football, including a reduction from 20 to 18 teams in the Premier League and the elimination of the EFL Cup and Community Shield.

The Premier League issued a statement shortly after the plans were first reported by the Daily telegraph on Sunday, he said “several of the individual proposals in the plan released today could have a detrimental impact on the entire game.

• Premier League reduced to 18 clubs
• No EFL Cup or Community Shield
• Special status for the nine longest-serving clubs: ‘Big Six’, Everton, West Ham, Southampton
• Only six of the nine longest-serving clubs should vote for a major change
• £ 250m immediate compensation for EFL
• The figure also represents the financial rescue of the coronavirus
• Club that finished 16th in the Premier League to replace the sixth-placed in the Championship in the EFL play-offs
• The Premier League will allocate 25 percent of future revenue to the EFL

Initial talks between Liverpool, United and the other “big six” clubs – Manchester City, Tottenham, Arsenal and Chelsea – have taken place, in the hope that a deal can be reached.

The reform plan, drawn up by Liverpool’s owners Fenway Sports Group, started in 2017 and is seen as a sea change in football governance. It has been accelerated by the coronavirus pandemic due to the financial situation faced by many EFL clubs.

One of the most attractive parts for some EFL clubs may be that 25 per cent of all combined Premier League and EFL revenue goes to them, with an advance of up to £ 250 million available in advance to help during the pandemic. .

The proposed changes would put the majority of power in the hands of the larger clubs, ending the current system of one club and one division vote.

The plan calls for the nine clubs with the largest continuous presence in the league, which includes the ‘big six’, to be given “long-term shareholder” status and the ability to make changes with the support of just six of the nine.

Along with the initial £ 250 million payment to the EFL, the FA would also receive £ 100 million as a gift.

‘Extremely attractive plans for EFL’

EFL President Rick Parry, a former Liverpool chief executive, has strongly endorsed the plan, saying it solves many of the problems currently facing EFL clubs.

Speaking Sunday night, he said: “This is a proposal to restore the long-term future of the English pyramid.

“This would produce long-term sustainability for all of our clubs. It would reduce the gap between the Championship and the Premier League. It would abolish parachute payments, which creates a huge imbalance within the Championship. Additionally, there is a short-term package of immediate relief. .

“It’s probably the most important idea since the formation of the Premier League. In terms of rebalancing the game, providing fairer actions for everyone, securing the financial future of the pyramid, it is extremely attractive to us.”

When asked if the proposals have the support of EFL clubs, Parry said: “We will see in the next few days. I really think it is in their best interests.

“I had the opportunity to speak to a limited number of them today and they have been extremely responsive.”

The Premier League said it was “disappointed” by Parry’s public support for the plans. In addition to reducing the size of the Premier League from 20 clubs to 18, there would also be a change in the promotion and relegation exchange with the Championship.

The last two clubs would be automatically relegated from the Premier League and replaced by the top two from the Championship.

The club ranked 16th in the Premier League would have to play a tiebreaker with the third, fourth and fifth teams in the championship.

The usual Community Shield match that raises the curtain between the Premier League champions and the FA Cup winners would be scrapped under the proposals, along with the EFL Cup. Other reports have claimed that instead of a complete abolition of the EFL Cup, it could continue without teams playing in European competition.

The plan would need the support of 14 of the 20 Premier League clubs to pass.

Full Premier League statement

Today we have seen media reports about a plan to restructure football in this country.

English football is the most watched in the world and has a vibrant, dynamic and competitive league structure that generates interest around the world. To maintain this position, it is important that we all work together. Both the Premier League and the FA support a broad discussion on the future of the game, including its competition structures, schedule and overall funding, particularly in light of the effects of COVID-19.

Soccer has many stakeholders, therefore this work must be carried out through the proper channels that allow all clubs and stakeholders the opportunity to contribute.

In the opinion of the Premier League, several of the individual proposals in the plan released today could have a detrimental impact on the entire game and we are disappointed to see that Rick Parry, President of the EFL, has provided his official support.

The Premier League has been working in good faith with its clubs and the EFL to seek a resolution to the COVID-19 bailout funding requirement. This work will continue.

DCMS: Proposals ‘deeply concerning’

The Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport issued a statement on Sunday criticizing the proposals and accusing the major sides of the Premier League of trying to create a “closed shop.”

The statement read: “We are surprised and disappointed that in a time of crisis when we have urged the upper echelons of professional football to come together and finalize an agreement to help lower league clubs, it appears that secret agreements are being prepared that create a closed shop at the top of the game.

“Sustainability, integrity and fair competition are absolutely paramount and anything that may undermine them is deeply concerning. Fans must be at the forefront of all our minds, and this shows why our fan-led review of soccer governance it will be so critical. “

Parry responded to DCMS, saying: “There is no back door, these proposals are completely transparent. [DCMS] I haven’t seen them yet, so what they are commenting on, I can only speculate.

“Perhaps they should have had a more measured view. We will take the time to explain the proposals and I am confident that when they see them, they will really see the merits. Making ill-considered statements, I don’t think it’s very helpful.”

‘The plans raise more questions than answers’

David Bottomley, the CEO of League One in Rochdale, had mixed opinions on the proposed plans, but ultimately felt they raised more questions than answers.

“At least it is a proposal on the table, I think it is very important, after months of uncertainty,” he said. Sky Sports News.

“I am grateful to the EFL for negotiating this, but to be honest, it probably raises more questions than answers.

“It’s hard not to agree [with EFL chairman Rick Parry]. We are not in a situation, especially League One and League Two clubs, where we can seek any form of financial aid and reject it.

“I think the game has chosen the wrong time to rework the pyramid system. But we have to accept this in order to negotiate this season.

“That’s basically what it’s all about. I agree that changes need to be made in the future, but why make those changes now when we are operating in such a difficult world?”

‘This could create a Premier League 2’

Former FA CEO Mark Palios, who is now president of Tranmere Rovers, said Sky News He thinks the structure of the game needs to be revised, but is not sure that the ‘Project Big Picture’ proposals are an improvement.

“The content is difficult and it feels awkward,” Palios said. “It seems to crystallize the status quo, it gives power to the ‘big six’ and basically control of the hands to them.

“I think ultimately, in terms of the pyramid, you see the move towards creating a Premier League 2.

“I think that would crystallize the gap between League One and what is now the Championship, rather than trying to address the gaps that exist in a much more compelling way.”