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      Premier League close to agreeing £130m new funding package for EFL, but parachute payments could be at risk

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      PREM clubs are set to finally agree a new extra £130million-per-year funding package for the EFL.But the cash boost will be conditional on lower division clubs accepting strict financial control rules.
      Burnley achieved promotion back to the promised land of the PremCredit: PA
      In contrast, Leicester went down, and clubs dropping to the Championship in future must now must wait to see the fate of parachute paymentsCredit: Getty
      And there is STILL no agreement on the future of parachute payments for relegated teams 
      EFL chiefs have been pushing for a massive increase of £1bn from top flight TV revenues over a three-year cycle, in addition to the current £1.6bn over the period.
      That demand was fiercely resisted by Prem club chiefs, who pointed out that many EFL club owners had deeper pockets than they did.
      But with growing pressure from the Government for the Prem and EFL to reach a deal before being ordered to accept a figure, a compromise is being hammered out ahead of next week’s meeting of the 20 top flight clubs.
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      The proposal to be put before the clubs will be for the extra cash to be distributed on a “merit” basis, determined by the final position in each of the three EFL divisions.
      As part of the agreement, clubs will also agree to costs limits of their own, limiting spending on wages and transfers to a fixed percentage of revenues.
      That will mirror – most likely at a higher threshold – the rules being introduced by UEFA over the next three seasons, which will see a maximum of 70 per cent of revenues allowed to be spent by 2025-26.
      The supposed deal would see teams at the top of the Championship nearly doubling their current annual £5.2m Prem windfall to nearer £9m.
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      But many of the Prem clubs outside the Big Six remain determined to keep the principal of parachute payments and only accept a limited reduction in their value.
      Parachute payments are currently worth up to £106m over three years for established Prem clubs like Leicester who fall out of the top flight.
      And some of the smaller Prem clubs are arguing that they should have less tight spending restrictions in the event of relegation and the clubs they join in the Championship. More

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      Crisis club Reading slapped with SECOND points deduction of the season in nightmare start to League One campaign

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      READING have been hit with their second points deduction of the season by the EFL.The Royals went into the campaign with a one point deficit after being found to have breached league financial regulations.
      Reading have been deducted a further three points in League OneCredit: Getty
      Reading’s previous penalty saw them ordered to deposit 125 per cent of their monthly wage bill into an account by September 12.
      Failure to do so has seen Reading trigger a further three-point penalty – meaning they have now been docked four in total this term.
      The Royals were relegated from the Championship last season after having had six points deducted.
      They have won two and lost four of their League One matches so far this season.
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      This means that, with the deduction applied, Reading now sit 21st on two points.
      An official EFL statement read: “Reading FC have been deducted three points from the 2023/24 League One table after the Club failed to comply with the order of an Independent Disciplinary Commission (IDC) which required them to deposit an amount equal to 125% of the Club’s forecast monthly wage bill in a designated account by 12 September 2023.
      “On 15 August 2023, the IDC had determined the Club had breached EFL Regulations related to the Club having failed to pay its players’ wages on time and in full on or around 31 October 2022, 30 November 2022, and 28 April 2023.
      “The Club received a one-point deduction, with a further three points suspended.
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      “As a result of this latest instance of non-compliance by the Club’s ownership, the suspended sanction has been activated and, as per the Commission’s instructions, applied by the EFL to the League One table with immediate effect.
      “The EFL continues to acknowledge the negative impact sporting sanctions are having on the Football Club and remain extremely disappointed and frustrated at the Club’s ownership to meet its ongoing obligations under EFL Regulations.
      “The League will continue to apply its rules in all circumstances deemed appropriate.”
      Reading appointed former Southampton boss Selles over the summer.
      They had their transfer embargo lifted in July, which had been in place since 2021.
      Following today’s further points deduction, a Reading club statement read: “Reading Football Club can confirm that a suspended three-point penalty has been activated as a result of owner Mr Dai failing to deposit an amount equating to 125% of the club’s monthly wage bill into a designated account by the deadline of Tuesday 12 September 2023, as ordered by the Independent Disciplinary Commission in its decision of 15 August 2023.
      “Last month, the club received a one-point penalty in relation to breaches of Regulation 64.7 of the EFL Regulations (relating to three instances of late payment of player wages), with a further three-point suspended penalty to be applied should the club fail to pay players’ wages on time on any further occasion before 30 June 2024, or should the deposit payment fail to be paid.
      “The points deduction will now be applied to our League One total with immediate effect.
      “As communicated to our supporters previously, Mr Dai is currently undertaking an ongoing process of seeking sources of stable external investment for the football club, with the aim of mitigating the risk of cashflow complications arising in future.” More

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      Fleetwood Town blasted as ‘well harsh’ after axing Celtic legend Scott Brown as he becomes second sacking of season

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      FLEETWOOD have sacked manager Scott Brown after 16 months in charge.It comes after the League One side picked up just one point from their opening six games.
      Scott Brown has been sacked by FleetwoodCredit: Alamy
      A club statement read: “Fleetwood Town can confirm Head Coach Scott Brown has left the club with immediate effect.
      “Following a difficult run of results the club reluctantly felt now is the right time to make a change to the First Team management.
      “Assistant Head Coach Steven Whittaker will also depart and everyone at the club would like to place on record their thanks to Scott and Steven for their hard work and professionalism during his time at the club.
      “The search for his replacement will begin immediately and we will issue a further update on the first team staff in due course.”
      Fleetwood’s winless start to the campaign sees them down in 23rd place in League One.
      But some football fans have condemned the decision to get rid of Brown, 38.
      That is because in his first season he guided them to a mid-table finish and the fifth round of the FA Cup – a club record.
      Reacting on social media, one person said: “Well harsh, that.”
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      Another added: “No loyalty. He did wonders last season for you.”
      While a third replied: “Seems a bit harsh. Although maybe that’s me being slightly biased. Always felt Fleetwood have been overachieving – to be in the third tier with the budget available.
      “Thought considering it was Scott’s first season as a manager he done a great job, perhaps deserving extra time.”
      Former midfielder Brown hung up his boots to pursue management last year.
      He spent five years at Hibernian, before joining Celtic where he won 10 Scottish Premiership titles across a 14-year stint.
      Brown, who also earned 55 caps for Scotland, finished his career at Aberdeen as a player-coach. More

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      I’m Portsmouth fan who become linesman for my OWN team after answering SOS… but I had two issues

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      POMPEY fan Julian Browning swapped the club’s boozy corporate hospitality lounge to answer an SOS and take over as emergency LINESMAN.Browning borrowed kit, including GOLD boots, to take a flag after fourth official Stephen Brown — who had already replaced one crocked linesman — limped off.
      Julian Browning answered as SOS call to be a linesmanCredit: Rex
      Pompey fan Browning borrowed kit and gold kitsCredit: Rex
      Cheltenham boss Wade Elliott hailed local league ref Browning as “the best official we’ve had all year”, adding: “They should all have a curry and four pints before coming on.”
      The game was in danger of being abandoned when ref Ben Toner  took the players off the pitch while an appeal for a stand-in bellowed out from the  Portsmouth PA system.
      Browning revealed: “I’ve not been on the turf at Fratton Park since I was an 11-year-old playing in a schools cup final in 1978.
      “I am a massive Pompey fan, have been for 50 years. I’ve been a season-ticket holder forever.
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      “I got some kit from the second assistant ref and another official appeared in the changing room with a  spare pair of gold boots.
      “If you’re going to make your presence felt you might as well wear gold boots, hey?
      “We had been wondering what was going on. Everyone who sits around me knows I am a local  referee, not a brilliant standard.
      “I was a bit unsure at first. They made a second call and I thought, ‘Oh, what the hell?’.
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      “The adrenalin kicked in and I was c**pping myself.
      “I was worried about two things, one, if a contentious decision happened but also if Pompey scored, how was I going to react?
      “I asked the referee, ‘What do I do if we score?’ ”
      Fortunately, that did not arise as the game ended goalless following 21 MINUTES of added time because of the lino chaos.
      It was Cheltenham’s first point of the season and  Elliott joked: “I did worry when he walked on and gave the Messiah salute to the North Stand but it’s one of those things.
      “The players dealt with it really well. It would have been easy to have lost focus.”
      Portsmouth manager John Mousinho praised the visitors for allowing the game to continue despite Browning being a Pompey fan.
      Mousinho said: “There was a chance the game could be called off because nobody knew the affiliation of the fan who took over.
      “I was happy because he came down from our South Stand, so fair play to Cheltenham because they could have refused to play on.”
      The match resumed in the 55th minute, with Browning loudly applauded as he raised his flag for a throw-in moments later.
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      Pompey midfielder Joe Morrell added: “We were in the dark about whether the game was going to go ahead.
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      “But someone who’d had five pints in hospitality stepped up.
      “There were questions being asked. If you’re their manager, you’d be  worried about pulling a Pompey fan from the crowd. But 0-0 is a fantastic result for them.” More

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      Portsmouth clash bizarrely SUSPENDED as ref walks down tunnel with the ball before FAN ‘takes over as linesman’

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      PORTSMOUTH’S clash with Cheltenham was bizarrely delayed as the officials appealed for any qualified refs in the crowd to take over as linesman.The unusual incident occurred just 12 minutes into the second half, when referee Ben Toner grabbed the ball and left the field of play.
      Portsmouth’s clash with Cheltenham was bizarrely delayedCredit: Rex
      At the time, Pompey tweeted: “As if this afternoon couldn’t get anymore bizarre…
      “The referee has taken the ball and disappeared down the tunnel – we’ll keep you updated.”
      Two minutes later, they added: “A message has just gone out over the PA system for a qualified official to make themselves known…
      “And a fan from the stands has just emerged to take over duties, so we should be fine!”
      The original officiating team at the match consisted of Ben Toner as referee, Daniel Flynn and Mark Derrien as his assistants and Stephen Brown as the fourth official.
      One of the linesmen was forced off injured during the first half of the match, with Brown taking over.
      Disaster then struck early on in the second period, when the other linesman also picked up an injury.
      At this point the referee led both teams back down the tunnel, with the Fratton Park PA system appealing for any qualified referees to emerge from the crowd.
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      Around ten minutes after the initial incident it was confirmed that play would resume in a further five.
      The match eventually got back underway in the 55th minute, with a supporter running the line.
      Pompey and Cheltenham were level at 0-0 when the suspension occurred.
      As the replacement assistant ref raised his flag for a throw-in for the first time, he received a loud cheer from the crowd.
      The officials eventually reverted to the original match clock, meaning they entered 21 minutes of stoppage time at the end of the initial 90. More

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      Major rule change to stadium clocks and big screens as new season kicks off as fans say ‘thank the Lord’ and ‘love that’

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      FOOTBALL fans are rejoicing over a rule change which means stadium clocks will now show added time at the end of each half.EFL scoreboards or giant screen timers will run until the completion of the half – rather than stopping at 45 and 90 minutes.
      EFL clocks and screens will show added time at the end of each halfCredit: Getty
      It comes as a result of IFAB guidance following the introduction of a new approach to timekeeping.
      The step has been taken to improve the “transparency” of the game as fans will be more informed as to how much time remains.
      According to The Mail, Howard Webb and the PGMOL, the referees’ body, had a major say in the decision to change stadium clocks.
      The alteration will be enforced in the Championship, League One and League Two where technology permits it.
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      It is not yet clear whether the stadium clocks will show added time in the Premier League.
      In response to the change, one fan said: “Thank the lord I think these footballing governing bodies are finally waking up ❤️⚽️.”

      While another added: “About time.”
      A third responded: “Love that, won’t have to guess how much time is left anymore 😅.”
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      And a fourth replied: “Good idea. Hated the fact that it would get to 90 minutes and just stop.”
      More minutes are expected to be played this season in an attempt to combat time wasting.
      This is set to mirror the time added during the Men’s World Cup last year and the Women’s World Cup that is currently being held.
      It comes after FA chief David Dein hinted at a possible change earlier this year.
      He told The Times: “The time has come for transparency via a countdown clock so the public can actually see how much time is left. It should not be a national secret.
      “I’m not saying the clock should be stopped every time the ball goes out of play, but certainly for those incidents which cause the greatest delays: goal celebrations, substitutions, penalties, injuries and now VAR checks.” More

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      Simon Thomas teases fans about a ‘new look Soccer Saturday’ as Sky Sports presenter admits he is ‘a bit nervous’

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      SIMON THOMAS has teased football fans that Soccer Saturday will have a “new look” when the show returns tomorrow.The presenter was named the show’s lead after replacing the long-standing Jeff Stelling.
      Simon Thomas has teased fans about a ‘new look’ Soccer Saturday
      He will be hosting the show this seasonCredit: PA:Press Association
      Former host Jeff Stelling stepped down after 30 years at the end of last seasonCredit: Getty
      Thomas, 50, admitted that he is “a bit nervous” about starting in the role.
      In a video on Instagram, he said: “The night before the football season returned in full and not a sound in the house could be heard.
      “I know the season returns tonight with Sheffield Wednesday against Southampton, but tomorrow is the return of Soccer Saturday with a new look, a new studio and a new host.
      “And I will be honest enough to say I am a bit nervous.
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      “I think nerves are good, I would be a bit worried if I had no nerves.
      “Healthy nerves are good, overwhelming nerves, not so good.
      “But I am feeling okay, I have been working really hard for the last month to try and catch up on everything.
      “Because it has been a long time since I was involved in football full-time, obviously I have been doing bits and bobs for Amazon Prime over the last three seasons, which has been amazing.
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      “But now I am fully back at Sky, and I am really excited, the Soccer Saturday team a brilliant team.
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      “I know that the pundits that are with me tomorrow, Paul Merson, Clinton Morrison, Michael Dawson, Sue Smith and Neil Lennon is popping in, so I know I am in safe hands.”
      The former Blue Peter star has won the race for the iconic job – six years after leaving Sky Sports following the tragic death of wife Gemma.
      The respected broadcaster quit his full-time job in 2017 to care for his son when wife Gemma died just three days after being diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia.
      And Thomas admitted in an emotional statement that he never thought he’d end up hosting Soccer Saturday, thanking new wife Derrina and his family and friends for their support.
      Thomas is not the only new face joining Soccer Saturday next month.
      Former Premier League referee Mike Dean has landed a role offering insight into games from the perspective of an official.
      He secured the job just 24 hours after quitting football, leaving his role as a video assistant ref in the process.

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      I’m a football club owner who launched my own newspaper and starred in Netflix show… now I’m trying to get promotion

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      CHARLIE METHVEN is arguably best known for his cringe-worthy antics on Netflix.But now the former journalist is hoping to write a new blockbuster script in his latest football project.
      Former Sunderland director Charlie Methven has a new gig as co-owner at CharltonCredit: Getty
      The journalist set up his own newspaper but it folded after a yearCredit: Getty
      Methven, 47, rose to fame during his infamous spell as co-owner of Sunderland.
      The blundering PR consultant, who was educated at Eton and the University of Oxford, came in for criticism for his behaviour in the Sunderland ‘Til I Die documentary.
      That included his iconic executive meeting to discuss PA music and his attempt at an inspirational rousing speech at the Stadium of Light.
      He stepped down as the Black Cats’ executive director in December 2019 after a series of struggles and controversies – including calling fans watching illegal streams of matches “parasites”.
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      But Methven was making waves in the media world a long time before his sudden rise to stardom on Netflix.
      The reporter wrote for Sporting Life, The Daily Telegraph, The Spectator and the Evening Standard.
      But in 2005, he launched The Sportsman, a daily horseracing and gambling title and the first new UK national newspaper in 19 years.
      The following year, though, it ran out of funds and folded.
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      Methven went on to have a communications firm which had Tottenham and the Kingdom of Bahrain on its clientele list.
      The Oxford United fan is back in football now, though, after he teamed up with investors at SE7 Partners to take over Charlton Athletic.
      And the Addicks’ new owner is insistent he is not at The Valley for some quick cash – but instead is desperate to see Dean Holden’s South Londoners promoted back into the Championship this season.
      Methven said: “I understand why people will say that because it was our model at Sunderland – but that was a very different ownership group.
      “The situation here is very different because the rest of my ownership group is very wealthy – at least the larger shareholders are – and really the increase in capital value from moving from League One to the Championship wouldn’t really be of any financial interest to them.
      “Really this project is more about passion.
      “They are successful people and successful investors and they want to be successful.
      “But if we were to get promoted this season, do I then envisage we would sell the club the next season? Absolutely not.
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      “Absolutely there is no intention for that to be the case.
      “I would put this as a five-year minimum project.”
      Methven frustrated many fans with his antics in the Netflix showCredit: Netflix
      Charlton will be eyeing promotion under new ownersCredit: Reuters More