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A Premier League club owner told Sky Sports News that only six top-level teams are in favor of Project Big Picture’s proposals, ahead of a shareholders meeting on Wednesday.
The 20 Premier League clubs will participate in a virtual meeting to discuss the proposals at 11 am.
“We are 100 percent against the plans,” he said. “If there was a vote now, I would be surprised if more than six supported it. I can guarantee you that the majority of club owners are against it.
“Who knows, someone might compromise, but there’s no way we can support what’s on the table now.”
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The proposals would give special status and preferential votes to the so-called big six clubs: Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham.
The EFL has confirmed that the majority of its clubs support the Project Big Picture plans following meetings with President Rick Parry.
Each division held its own individual conversations with the EFL president on Tuesday and the “overwhelming majority” of EFL clubs have indicated their willingness to discuss the proposals.
A statement from the EFL said: “The proposals, which seek to address the long-term economic imbalance in the soccer pyramid while also addressing the short-term financial need created as a result of Covid-19, received strong support, with an overwhelming majority of clubs indicate their willingness to further debate the proposals on the basis that the main benefits for the future of the English pyramid are clear.
“It was agreed that the proposals should be addressed and discussed in detail among all interested parties for the benefit of the English game, and while there are no specific deadlines for what will happen next, there is a clear need to move forward on this matter as soon as possible. “. as practically possible. “
Eleven EFL clubs have said Sky Sports News they could go out of business at the end of the season without fans and without a bailout.
Parry is a supporter of the controversial Project Big Picture proposal, a detailed plan that would see the biggest restructuring of the Premier League since its inception in 1992, but which is opposed by fans of the division’s ‘big six’ teams.
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Under the plan, they would increase the income of lower league clubs, as well as an advance payment of £ 250 million in parachute.
However, there are concerns that Parry’s comments have frustrated the Premier League and that could jeopardize a potential bailout. A member of the board of directors of a Premier League club says the feeling among most teams in the division is that Parry should resign now.
Villa boss: Premier League model changes a concern
Aston Villa CEO Christian Purslow says he is concerned about possible changes to a successful Premier League model that could come from Project Big Picture.
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“I don’t know much about the bigger picture of the Premier League. I’m looking forward to today’s Premier League meeting to hear the details of Manchester United and Liverpool,” said Purslow. Sky Sports News.
“I have to say that I would be concerned about changes in such a successful and commercially prominent league at a time when football needs all the success it can get to deal with financial problems.”
When asked if clubs like Aston Villa were being pushed into the proposals, Purslow replied: “Not at all. This plan has been out in the media, it has not been discussed, it will be today.”
“We have an effective mechanism to discuss things, the 20 clubs have an equal participation of five percent in the league, we meet frequently. The unity of the league is its strength.”
“After a healthy discussion, we will see two things; everyone in the Premier League understands that the short-term priority is to help cash problems lower down the pyramid, in the long-term it will be a catalyst for a much broader discussion on the English Soccer structure.
“I strongly believe that we must look at the relationship between the Premier League and the Championship and other long-standing issues that predate the pandemic.
“I think we will see a willingness to bring those issues to the table. What is unusual about this project is that the EFL director and two owners are discussing it outside of the boardroom; that’s not the way I am. I would have gone. ” about it “.
Six championship clubs fear for survival
Six championship clubs have said so Sky Sports News that if there is no financial rescue forthcoming, they fear for the survival of their club.
In a survey conducted by Sky Sports News, eight clubs also claim that they have laid off club staff, or will have to.
Full story here …
Eighty-five percent of League Two clubs worry about finances
Thirteen League Two clubs responded to a Sky Sports News poll and 85 percent said they were concerned about their current financial situation. Ninety-two percent were dissatisfied with the government’s efforts to get fans back to the stadiums.
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Stevenage President Phil Wallace said Sky Sports News: “We already have our house in order in terms of players. But I think a single shot to the arm to fix things and put us on the road to sustainability would be very welcome.”
“The government has directed the Premier League to fix this. Rick Parry has said the definition of ‘ordering this’ is £ 250 million. Whether that comes with strings or as part of the bigger picture is another matter.
“But I think we are running out of time. It will probably be at the end of this year before the clubs start to get into serious trouble.”
All but two clubs responding to the survey felt that the Premier League and the government should offer financial assistance.
Fans were expected to be back in the stadiums in early October, but plans were put on hold as coronavirus cases rose across the UK.
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Ticket money is crucial for lower-league clubs, and since their main expense is player salaries, many now depend on their owners to pay the bill and keep them afloat.
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