MANCHESTER UNITED and Liverpool’s radical plans to restructure the Premier League will be outlined at an emergency meeting of all 20 clubs on Thursday.
Coined ‘Project Big Picture’, the plans were leaked on Sunday with Liverpool’s American owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) authoring a spectacular ‘Revitalisation’ document, supported by the Red Devils, which would give the Prem a huge shake-up.
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool are behind the radical proposalsCredit: AP:Associated Press
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Manchester United have backed the proposalsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds and their fellow promoted sides are against the proposalsCredit: Reuters
David Moyes’ West Ham were one of eight Premier League sides to oppose plansCredit: AFP or licensors
It could see the English top flight reduced to 18 teams, but with a greater financial commitment to the EFL and although the restructuring should suit the Big Six, there is widespread opposition among other teams.
Many opponents have publicly come out against the proposals – including the UK government, who threatened to tear up the FA’s control over football if the ‘power grab’ goes ahead.
And The Mail reports Reds owner John Henry and United counterpart Joel Glazer held crisis talks on Monday in the face of rising criticism.
The mega rich pair are determined to boot two teams from the current 20-side set-up to make space for an expanded Champions League.
But there is thought to be a recognition that the controversial plan to effectively give the Big Six veto power and a greater share of broadcast revenue may have to be watered down.
So far, the other four sides in the Big Six are yet to publicly commit to backing the plans.
A smaller league would suit their long-term strategic interests – Spurs and Liverpool would also be able to claim back £155m for stadium costs – but they are thought to be uncomfortable at the controversial plans being outed.
When contacted by The Mail, only Liverpool and United confirmed they were in favour – with EIGHT others publicly stating their opposition.
Liverpool owner John Henry (right)Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Manchester United owners Avram Glazer and Joel Glazer (right)Credit: Getty Images – Getty
PROPOSED PREMIER LEAGUE CHANGES IN FULL
- EFL given £250m for loss of matchday revenue – deducted from future TV earnings.
- Nine longest-serving clubs have ‘special status’ – with just six votes from those clubs needed to pass a new rule.
- Premier League to go from 20 clubs to 18.
- FA awarded £100m gift to help during Covid-19 pandemic to help non-league game, the women’s game and grassroots football.
- 8.5 per cent of annual net Premier League revenue to go to ‘good causes’, including the FA.
- 25 per cent of all combined Premier League and Football League revenues to go to EFL clubs.
- Six per cent of Premier League gross revenues to pay for stadium improvements across the top four divisions.
- New rules for the distribution of Premier League television income, overseas and domestic.
- League Cup and the Community Shield to be axed.
- 24 clubs each in the Championship, League One and League Two reducing the professional game overall from 92 clubs to 90.
- A women’s professional league independent of the Premier League and FA.
- Two sides automatically relegated from the Premier League every season and the top two Championship teams promoted.
- The 16th place Premier League club plays in a play-off tournament with the Championship’s third, fourth and fifth placed teams.
- Financial Fair Play regulations in line with Uefa, and full access for Premier League executive to club accounts.
- Away tickets for fans to be capped at £20, with travel subsidised, a focus on a return to safe standing, a minimum away allocation of eight per cent capacity.
- Later Premier League start in August to give greater scope for pre-season friendlies, and requirement for all clubs to compete once every five years in a summer Premier League tournament.
- Huge changes to loan system allowing clubs to have 15 players out on loan domestically at any one time and up to four at a single club in England.
*According to The Telegraph…
The report states Arsenal are undecided while promoted sides Leeds, Fulham and West Brom are all against.
West Ham, Brighton, Burnley, Sheffield United and Crystal Palace are the others who don’t back the plans.
The remaining sides all gave no comment in regard to the proposed reforms – which the American owners aim to introduce in time for the 2022-23 season in line with the next round of TV deals.
The proposals suggest the Prem would boost its financial contribution to the EFL up to £700m including a £250m Covid-19 bail-out.
The pledges have convinced EFL chairman Rick Parry to give his support but the FA has threatened to use its ‘golden share’ veto to block the changes.
EFL chairman Rick ParryCredit: PA:Press Association
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden says he fears Premier League reform plans are a ‘power grab’
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
