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The Football Association is understood to be against Project Big Picture’s proposals, which would reshape professional football in England, while the response from Premier League clubs is said to be “lukewarm”.
The proposals, drawn up by Liverpool owners and backed by Manchester United, were revealed on Sunday and would change the voting structure of the Premier League, as well as the funding models for the English Football League and the FA.
The proposed changes would put the majority of power in the hands of the biggest clubs, ending the current one-club, one-vote Premier League system.
This change of power is understood to be opposed by the FA, which has the power to veto any fundamental change in the Premier League thanks to the ‘golden share’ given to it when the league was created in 1992.
Although the plans would see their power over the running of the Premier League increase, it is understood that the rest of the six big clubs (Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham) also have reservations.
The response from the remaining 14 Premier League clubs to the proposals has been tepid, according to Sky Sports News reporter Kaveh Solhekol, including with West Ham, who would receive special status as one of the longest-serving teams in the league, said he was not in favor.
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Premier League clubs, which have already suffered a financial hit during the coronavirus pandemic, are believed to have concerns that the plans will negatively affect their accounts.
The proposal to reduce the first division from 20 to 18 clubs would have the effect of eliminating two home games from each club’s calendar, in addition to increasing the risk of relegation to the Championship.
‘Like turkeys voting for Christmas’
Sky Sports News reporter Kaveh Solhekol:
“My understanding of the situation is that the FA would not support these proposals in their current form. That is very important because the FA has a ‘golden stake’ in the Premier League. If these proposals were put to a vote, the FA could veto them. .
“What about the support of Premier League clubs? My understanding of the situation is that Premier League clubs, in general, are very tepid when it comes to their response to these proposals.
“You’d expect the ‘big six’ to be in favor of them because it gives them a lot of power, but even among those clubs, there are significant reservations. I also don’t think West Ham would back these proposals at all.
“My understanding is that many Premier League clubs think that voting for these proposals would be like a turkey voting for Christmas. Their finances would suffer. Their finances have already been affected by the pandemic.”
“Under these proposals, the Premier League would be reduced to 18 clubs, which would mean two fewer home games per season. In addition, 25 percent of the television rights would be transferred to the EFL. Finally, and very importantly, because Con only 18 clubs in the Premier League, there would be a greater relegation threat.
“In general, the majority of Premier League clubs are not in favor of these proposals.”
Premier League: the proposals would damage the English game
Following the publication of the Liverpool and Manchester United Project Big Picture proposals, the Premier League issued a statement describing their opposition.
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It said: “English football is the most watched in the world and has a vibrant, dynamic and competitive league structure that generates interest from 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.
“Football has many stakeholders, so this work must be carried out through the right channels that allow all clubs and stakeholders the opportunity to contribute.
“From a Premier League point of view, 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 EFL President Rick Parry has provided his record-breaking 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.”
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A spokesman for Boris Johnson made clear Monday that the Prime Minister also does not support the Big Picture Project plans.
The spokesman said: “It is clear that this proposal does not have the support of the entire Premier League, and it is exactly these kinds of secret deals that undermine confidence in the governance of football.”
‘Extremely attractive plans for EFL’
While Project Big Picture has drawn much criticism, EFL president Rick Parry has backed the proposals, saying they provide “long-term sustainability” for the clubs under his jurisdiction.
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The plans would allow EFL teams to receive a £ 250 million package, as well as 25 percent of the television deals negotiated by the Premier League.
Speaking Sunday night, Parry 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 [Sunday] and they have been extremely responsive. “
‘Preston would appreciate proposals’
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Peter Ridsdale, the former president of Leeds and Cardiff who now acts as an adviser in Preston, can see why the proposals have been well received by some in the Football League, including Preston.
The prospect of 25 percent of annual Premier League revenue being shared annually with Football League clubs, up from 4 percent, represents a huge financial incentive.
However, he questioned the merits of imposing a structure on the Premier League, concentrating power around the top six, when teams that finish in those positions can and do change over time.
“If you take every kind of 10-year period that you come across, because of evolution and maybe different levels of investment, the clubs that are in the top six at any one time are not the top six in 10 or 20 years.” time, “Ridsdale said.
“So to try and put a voting structure in place that almost guarantees that status, I would be surprised if I was in the Premier League, which of course it is not.
“From a football league point of view, I can see why people would appreciate it and we certainly would. It seems to me that there is potentially three times the amount of money on offer, once this is determined, based on the season”.
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