18-team English Premier League: All 20 clubs reject Liverpool & Man Utd plan for reforms

[Abdullah719]

Liverpool and Manchester United are leading radical proposals for the reform of English football.

The plans would see the Premier League hand over the £250m bailout required by the Football League to stave off a financial disaster among its 72 clubs.

Under the proposals, the Premier League would be cut to 18 teams, the EFL Cup in its present form would be abolished and the Community Shield scrapped.

In addition, the top-flight’s 14-club majority voting system would change.

It is thought English Football League (EFL) chairman Rick Parry is in favour of the plans, first reported by the Daily Telegraph.

It is understood Liverpool’s owners, the Fenway Sports Group, came forward with the initial plan, which has been worked on by United co-chairman Joel Glazer. It is anticipated it will receive the backing of Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur - the other members of England’s ‘big six’.

The idea is to address long-standing EFL concerns about the huge gap in funding between its divisions and the Premier League by handing over 25% of the annual income, though the current parachute payment system would be scrapped.

There would be a £250m up-front payment to address the existing crisis created by the coronavirus pandemic. In addition, the Football Association would receive what is being described as a £100m “gift”.

No date has been set for the proposed new-style league to be in operation but sources have suggested 2022-23 is not out of the question.

In order to get down from 20 to 18, it is anticipated four clubs would be relegated directly, with two promoted from the Championship. In addition, there would be play-offs involving the team to finish 16th in the Premier League and those in third, fourth and fifth in the second tier.

It is also planned that, as well as the ‘big six’, ever-present league member Everton, West Ham United and Southampton - ninth and 11th respectively in the list of clubs who have featured in the most Premier League seasons - would be granted special status.

If six of those nine clubs vote in favour of a proposal, it would be enough to get it passed.

There is no mention of Aston Villa and Newcastle United, both of whom have featured in more Premier League campaigns than Manchester City.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54499998

 

[Firebat]

Premier League: Radical reform plans could have 'damaging impact'

Radical proposals for the reform of English football could have a "damaging impact" on the game, says the Premier League.

Under the proposals, led by Liverpool and Manchester United, the English top flight would be cut to 18 teams.

The plans would see the Premier League hand over the £250m bailout required by the Football League to stave off a financial disaster among its 72 clubs.

The Premier League would also hand over 25% of its annual income to the EFL.

"English football is the world's most watched, and has a vibrant, dynamic and competitive league structure that drives interest around the globe," a Premier League statement said.

"To maintain this position, it is important that we all work together. Both the Premier League and the FA support a wide-ranging discussion on the future of the game, including its competition structures, calendar and overall financing particularly in light of the effects of Covid-19.

"Football has many stakeholders, therefore this work should be carried out through the proper channels enabling all clubs and stakeholders the opportunity to contribute."

Under the proposals, the EFL Cup in its present form would be abolished and the Community Shield scrapped.

In addition, the top flight's 14-club majority voting system would change.

It is thought English Football League chairman Rick Parry is in favour of the plans, first reported by the Daily Telegraph.

The Premier League statement added: "In the Premier League's view, a number of the individual proposals in the plan published today could have a damaging impact on the whole game and we are disappointed to see that Rick Parry, chair of the EFL, has given his on-the-record support.

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

It is understood Liverpool's owners, the Fenway Sports Group, came forward with the initial plan, which has been worked on by United co-chairman Joel Glazer. It is anticipated it will receive the backing of Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur - the other members of England's 'big six'.

The idea is to address longstanding EFL concerns about the huge gap in funding between its divisions and the Premier League by handing over 25% of the annual income, although the current parachute payment system would be scrapped.

There would be a £250m up-front payment to address the existing crisis created by the coronavirus pandemic, seen by some as a bid to garner support for the proposals.

In addition, the Football Association would receive what is being described as a £100m "gift".

No date has been set for the proposed new-style league to be in operation but sources have suggested 2022-23 is not out of the question.

In order to get down from 20 to 18, it is anticipated four clubs would be relegated directly, with two promoted from the Championship. In addition, there would be play-offs involving the team to finish 16th in the Premier League and those in third, fourth and fifth in the second tier.

It is also planned that, as well as the 'big six', ever-present league member Everton, West Ham United and Southampton - ninth and 11th respectively in the list of clubs who have featured in the most Premier League seasons - would be granted special status.

If six of those nine clubs vote in favour of a proposal, it would be enough to get it passed.

There is no mention of Aston Villa and Newcastle United, both of whom have featured in more Premier League campaigns than Manchester City.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54499998

 

[KingKhanWC]

Poor from the American owners of Liverpool and Man Utd. They only want to make more money from the upcoming European Super League.

Hopefully this nonsense will be rejected. PL is the best league in the world, there is no need to tinker with it.

Lower league clubs should stand up to the government and demand some fans are let in into the stadiums with the government covering the rest until the pandemic is over.

 

[Markhor]

Poor from the American owners of Liverpool and Man Utd. They only want to make more money from the upcoming European Super League.

Hopefully this nonsense will be rejected. PL is the best league in the world, there is no need to tinker with it.

Lower league clubs should stand up to the government and demand some fans are let in into the stadiums with the government covering the rest until the pandemic is over.

I don't support reducing the number of PL teams either but football needs a drastic reimagining because even before the pandemic when flocking to the stands, the majority of English clubs were struggling to stay afloat.

Now without gate receipts, they are screwed. The first place to start is players' wages. There needs to be a salary cap.

Last season, 11 PL clubs saw wages make up between 60-85% of their turnover. In the Championship and lower leagues, clubs have wage bills making up over 100% of turnover ! With television rights income likely to fall, this is not a sustainable business model.

 

[KingKhanWC]

I don't support reducing the number of PL teams either but football needs a drastic reimagining because even before the pandemic when flocking to the stands, the majority of English clubs were struggling to stay afloat.

Now without gate receipts, they are screwed. The first place to start is players' wages. There needs to be a salary cap.

Last season, 11 PL clubs saw wages make up between 60-85% of their turnover. In the Championship and lower leagues, clubs have wage bills making up over 100% of turnover ! With television rights income likely to fall, this is not a sustainable business model.

I agree gate receipts are a big issue. I see no reason why 30% of the stadium cannot be filled.

Wages is a difficult one as it's freedom to earn.

PL clubs also need to look in the mirror esp the likes of Arsenal, who made people redunant only to fork out 50 million for a midfielder.

 

[ElRaja]

don't see what the attraction is to watch a team you support buy loads of players until it hits on a combination that wins you a league or a trophy.

its decent entertainment but peoples support for these businesses borders on the illogical to me.

internationals and latter stage champs league is entertaining, the rest is just one long slog repeated ad infinitum.

 

[Firebat]

Premier League: West Ham are against radical Big Picture plans

West Ham are against radical plans by Liverpool and Manchester United to reform the English football pyramid, according to a club source.

The Project Big Picture proposals have been put together by Liverpool owner John Henry and United co-chairman Joel Glazer.

Everton, Southampton and West Ham would be granted special status in the plans, along with the so-called 'big six'.

However, a Hammers insider has told BBC Sport they are "very much against" it.

It is understood the club were unaware of the proposals, even though they were named in them - and were shocked when they emerged into the public domain on Sunday.

The source said they were of the view Liverpool and United were the instigators but that they had been told talks have been going on since January and what has emerged is the 17th version of the proposal.

The plans also include special status for Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham.

A spokesman for Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday the plans would "undermine the trust in football's governance".

"In terms of support for clubs we have been given assurances by the Premier League and English Football League that they have no intention to let any EFL club go bust due to covid and we know they have the means to prevent that from happening within existing mechanisms.

"We strongly urge the Premier League and EFL to continue to work constructively to come up with a package of support for the whole football family."

The Hammers feel the obvious negatives - the loss of two home games - will hit their finances, while at the same time creating space for more European games and lucrative pre-season friendlies, which would disproportionately benefit the 'big six'.

The plans include reducing the Premier League to 18 clubs and scrapping the EFL Cup.

In return, the EFL would get 25% of all future TV deals, which would be negotiated jointly, plus the £250m bail-out many clubs have been demanding since May.

This is the fourth season in a row where the 'big six' have all qualified for European football. In the past 10 seasons, one of them has missed out on only four occasions.

Over the past decade, West Ham have had two European campaigns, both of which ended during the qualifying rounds. Southampton and Everton have also qualified for Europe twice in the same period.

"The big six are using Covid for a power grab," said the West Ham source. "If this goes through, over time they will just use more and more for themselves."

It is not known what will happen if the plan - which has drawn criticism from supporters' groups, the government and the Premier League executive - is rejected.

The Premier League said "individual proposals" in the plan "could have a damaging impact on the whole game", and that it would continue its own work on a "resolution to the requirement for Covid-19 rescue funding" for the EFL.

However, one theory - which EFL chairman Rick Parry refused to dismiss when questioned specifically about it twice on Sunday - is that the six clubs have been told they could play within the Football League if their Premier League status was threatened.

One source with detailed knowledge of running clubs at both Premier League and EFL level says the plan has merit but the fear of how the 'big six' might rewrite the rule book - potentially including halting relegation or blocking new owners whose investment may threaten their own status - was likely to be regarded as too big a price for many to accept.

Read more: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54505270

 

[The Viper]

'Serious concerns' from Premier League clubs over Liverpool and Man United's 'Project Big Picture' plans

Plans from Liverpool and Manchester United to radically reform the Premier League appear to have hit the buffers as the Football Association (FA) is understood be against the proposals, while other top flight clubs have serious concerns.

The "Project Big Picture" plans - which would result in the biggest shake-up of English football in a generation - would see the number of teams in the Premier League reduced from 20 to 18, with the majority of power put in the hands of the biggest clubs.

They also promise lower league clubs, which have been starved of income by the coronavirus pandemic, an immediate £250m rescue package and a 25% cut of future Premier League media revenues.

The proposed power shift is understood to be opposed by the FA, which can veto any fundamental changes to the Premier League, while Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden told Sky News he is "quite sceptical" about the plans.

Under the plans, the League Cup and Community Shield would be scrapped and the nine clubs that have been in the Premier League for the longest amount of time would have full control of the league's running, abolishing the one-club, one-vote principle.

Despite the fact that the plans would see their power over the running of the Premier League increase, Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham are understood to have reservations, according to Sky Sports News.

It reports that the majority of the remaining 14 Premier League clubs have serious concerns over the proposals, with even West Ham - who would receive special status as one of the league's longest-serving teams - said not to be in favour.

Premier League shareholders are likely to meet on Wednesday, while there is an FA council and board meeting on Thursday, with Project Big Picture set to be high on the agenda at both gatherings.

It comes after former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger told Sky Sports News he believes "smaller clubs will die" unless urgent action is taken to safeguard the future of the English Football League.

The Frenchman, who spent 22 years in charge of the north London club until stepping down as manager in 2018, insisted a one-off bail-out payment was not enough.

"If nothing happens, the smaller clubs will die," Wenger said at a Sky event. "I don't think that one payment will sort out the problem.

"The problem is much deeper than that. The money certainly has to be shared, the income of the top clubs has to be shared a fraction more with the smaller clubs."

Wenger said "you cannot ignore completely the tradition inside the country," adding that the plans will "create a reluctance and a negative approach".

"Overall the solution has to come from the federation, from the government, from the Premier League - to find a compromise to sort out the problems that already existed before coronavirus," he said.

https://news.sky.com/story/serious-...an-uniteds-project-big-picture-plans-12103077

 

[MenInG]

A breakaway league was suggested "as a threat" by the organisers of Project Big Picture, says Football Association chairman Greg Clarke.

Project Big Picture wants to reduce the Premier League from 20 to 18 clubs and scrap the Carabao Cup.

The EFL would also get 25% of all future TV deals, plus £250m.

Fan groups of the ‘big six’ teams - Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham - have criticised the plans.

But on Tuesday EFL clubs said support for the plans was "almost unanimous".

FA chairman Clarke said he was involved in initial discussions with the backers of Project Big Picture but then withdrew.

“Change must benefit clubs, fans and players; not just selective balance sheets,” said Clarke.

“With the knowledge of senior board members and our CEO, I participated in the early stages of discussions.

“However, when the principal aim of these discussions became the concentration of power and wealth in the hands of a few clubs with a breakaway league mooted as a threat, I discontinued my involvement and counselled a more consensus-based approach involving all Premier League clubs.

“Our game needs to continually seek to improve, but benefits need to be shared.”

The proposals, led by Liverpool and Manchester United, became public earlier this week and have split opinion.

EFL chairman Rick Parry said the plans were “in the best interests” of football in this country.

However, the Premier League thought the plan "could have a damaging impact on the whole game" and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said it was "surprised and disappointed" by "backroom deals being cooked up".

A West Ham insider told BBC Sport they were "very much against" it and a spokesman for Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the plans would "undermine the trust in football's governance”.

Clarke said discussions should continue, adding: “We, the FA board and council, have to ensure any changes would be to the long-term benefit of the whole of football.

“We have substantial controls to help ensure that the best interests of the game are served by any new proposals.

“In these difficult times unity, transparency and common purpose must override the interests of the few.

“Let’s continue to work together to determine what is best for English football, with full dialogue between all key stakeholders.”

The 'Project Big Picture' proposals
The Premier League cut from 20 to 18 clubs, with the Championship, League One and League Two each retaining 24 teams.
The bottom two teams in the Premier League relegated automatically with the 16th-placed team joining the Championship play-offs.
The League Cup and Community Shield abolished.
Parachute payments scrapped.
A £250m rescue fund made immediately available to the EFL and 25% of all future TV deals.
£100m paid to the FA to make up for lost revenue.
Nine clubs given 'special voting rights' on certain issues, based on their extended runs in the Premier League.
‘We do not support the proposals’
On Tuesday, a joint statement from supporters' groups of the ‘big six’ teams said: “The fans we represent are fortunate to support clubs that regularly secure the largest financial revenues in the Premier League. But all of us understand that football doesn’t work in isolation - it’s a family.

“It requires a fair share of resources to ensure that the Premier League is competitive to watch and that the lower leagues flourish as part of our national game.

“While the six clubs we support are widely reported to be the instigators of Project Big Picture, it is important we state very clearly we do not support the proposals in their current form.

“We are totally opposed to concentrating power in the hands of six billionaire owners and departing from the one club, one vote and collective ethos of the Premier League. This part of the proposal must be dropped immediately if other elements are to be given serious consideration.

“We welcome the government reiterating its plan for a supporter-led review into football governance. This needs to happen as a matter of urgency and supporter groups must be consulted."

'Almost unanimous support in EFL'
Leading figures from EFL clubs in the Championship, League One and League Two said there was almost unanimous support for the proposals during individual league meetings on Tuesday.

Jez Moxey, chief executive of League One side Burton Albion and a member of the EFL board, said: "I'd say in League One, [support is]unanimous."

Paul Scally, chairman of League One's Gillingham, said: "I don't think anyone spoke badly about it. There were concerns over certain aspects of it but the principle of it, as I've believed all along, has been very sound. I think it's welcomed.

"There is obviously more discussion to be had, but clubs aren't looking at selling their souls for £250m, this is not about taking the money, whatever the cost.

"This is about the future sustainability of the English Football League and the pyramid of football, of which the Premier League play such a big part. We would be very much hopeful that this can come to a positive conclusion."

Nigel Travis, chairman of League Two's Leyton Orient, said: "I'd say in League Two it was probably 23 out of 24 clubs [in favour]. One club raised a number of interesting issues."

He added: "Apart from a couple of clubs throughout the league we are totally behind it. It is to make football better and sustainable for all of us. Think about the income it brings into government, think about what it does for our communities."

Peter Ridsdale, the owner's representative at Championship side Preston North End, said: "At the Championship meeting today, whilst there wasn't a vote, there were no dissenting voices on the conference call.

"There were some questions raised, and I think fairly, because it was leaked, and because we've only seen certain elements of the discussions there will be points that individual clubs would want clarification on or the ability to discuss, but in terms of the broad principles of it there were no dissenting voices at the Championship meeting today."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54531760

 

[Firebat]

Project Big Picture: Plan highly unlikely to get traction within Premier League - Christian Purslow

Project Big Picture is "highly unlikely to get traction within the Premier League," says Aston Villa chief executive Christian Purslow.

The plan's backers want to reduce the Premier League from 20 to 18 clubs and scrap the EFL Cup.

Premier League shareholders will meet on Wednesday to discuss the project and finances in football.

"I don't think we should give too much credence to this particular plan," Purslow told Radio 4's Today programme.

The proposals, led by Liverpool and Manchester United, became public earlier this week and have split opinion.

Under the plan, the EFL would get 25% of all future TV deals, which would be negotiated jointly, plus a £250m bail-out.

However, it would also see more power transferred to the so-called 'big six' clubs in the Premier League.

It would need 14 of the 20 current top-flight clubs to vote in favour.

"I think it is highly unlikely that this plan, as it has been described in public, is going to get much traction within the Premier League itself," Purslow said.

"The idea that somehow the Premier League does not already take a hugely important role in funding the whole of the pyramid is fantasy.

"I think a much broader, long-term plan for football is what I would expect to come from the Premier League."

EFL chairman Rick Parry said the plan was "in the best interests" of football in this country and praised both clubs for coming up with it.

The Premier League previously said the plan "could have a damaging impact on the whole game" and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said it was "surprised and disappointed" by "backroom deals being cooked up".

A joint statement from supporters' groups of the 'big six' teams expressed their concern at the plans.

"I expect there to be an open and transparent dialogue. I also expect there to be concrete proposals on funding for lower levels of football," Purslow said of Wednesday's meeting.

"While I applaud the notion that the Championship, League One and League Two want to engage with the Premier League, the way to do that is to talk to the chairman and the chief executive of that league, through the front door, not to discuss it with only two Premier League teams.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54535326

 

[Firebat]

Premier League club executive says Project Big Picture may cause 'lasting damage'

An executive of a Premier League club has said Project Big Picture is "exploiting the financial misery brought about by the coronavirus pandemic", and that it could lead to "lasting damage" in the football pyramid.

The club chief, who did not want to be identified, also told Sky Sports News he questions whether details of the project have been deliberately leaked now, when EFL clubs are at their most vulnerable, in order to gain most popular support.

The plans have received widespread approval among lower league clubs, many of whom have told Sky Sports News the lost revenue because of coronavirus is crippling their business. 11 clubs in Leagues One and Two say they could go bust by the end of the season, without a financial bailout.

But critics have accused the 'Big Six' of a power grab, saying the proposals would give them ultimate voting power over future changes in the Premier League, as well as a much bigger share of League revenues.

The club executive went on to say Project Big Picture would lead to a closed shop in terms of competition, whereby the top places in each season's Premier League would be "pre-ordained" and always occupied by the "Big Six".

He also said that, rather than lessening the gap between the Premier League and the Championship, no club promoted from the EFL would be able to compete, and would face an even bigger battle to stay in the top division.

'Project Big Picture' proposals:

- Premier League reduced to 18 clubs
- No EFL Cup or Community Shield
- Special status for nine longest serving clubs - 'Big Six', Everton, West Ham, Southampton
- Only six of the nine longest-serving clubs need to vote for major change
- £250m immediate compensation for EFL
- Figure also represents coronavirus financial bail-out
- Club who finishes 16th in Premier League to replace sixth-placed Championship club in EFL play-offs
- Premier League to commit 25 per cent of future revenue to EFL

Read more: https://www.skysports.com/football/...-project-big-picture-may-cause-lasting-damage

 

[MenInG]

Plans from Liverpool and Manchester United to radically reform England's top flight of football have been unanimously rejected by all 20 Premier League clubs.

The "Project Big Picture" plans - which would have resulted in the biggest shake-up of English football in a generation - aimed to reduce the number of teams in the Premier League from 20 to 18, with the majority of power put in the hands of the biggest clubs.

Premier League clubs have now said they will work together on a "strategic plan" to find a new way forward for English football after the project was rejected.

The English Football League, which is made up of the three divisions below the Premier League, confirmed the majority of its clubs supported the idea of Project Big Picture.

The plans promised lower league clubs, which have been starved of income by the coronavirus pandemic, an immediate £250m rescue package and a 25% cut of future Premier League media revenues.

The Premier League has said it will still make a rescue package available to League One and League Two clubs to ensure they do not go out of business as a result of the outbreak.

The top flight said in its statement: "League One and League Two clubs rely more heavily on matchday revenue and have fewer resources at their disposal than Championship or Premier League clubs and are therefore more at risk, especially at a time when fans are excluded from attending matches.

"This offer will consist of grants and interest-free loans totalling a further £50 million on top of the £27.2m solidarity payments already advanced to League One and League Two this year, making a total of £77.2m.

"Discussions will also continue with the EFL regarding Championship clubs' financial needs. This addresses government concerns about lower league clubs' financial fragility.

"Football is not the same without attending fans and the football economy is unsustainable without them. The Premier League and all our clubs remain committed to the safe return of fans as soon as possible."

The Premier League had earlier said in its statement on Wednesday: "All 20 Premier League clubs today unanimously agreed that Project Big Picture will not be endorsed or pursued by the Premier League, or The FA.

"Further, Premier League Shareholders agreed to work together as a 20-club collective on a strategic plan for the future structures and financing of English football, consulting with all stakeholders to ensure a vibrant, competitive and sustainable football pyramid.

"Clubs will work collaboratively, in an open and transparent process, focusing on competition structure, calendar, governance and financial sustainability. This project has the full support of the FA and will include engagement with all relevant stakeholders including fans, government and, of course, the EFL."

What did "Project Big Picture" propose?

Premier League reduced to 18 clubs
No EFL Cup or Community Shield
Special status for nine longest serving clubs
Only six of the nine longest-serving clubs need to vote for major change
£250m immediate compensation for EFL
Figure also represents coronavirus financial bail-out
Club who finishes 16th in Premier League to replace sixth-placed Championship club in EFL play-offs
Premier League to commit 25 per cent of future revenue to EFL

https://news.sky.com/story/project-...eague-clubs-unanimously-reject-plans-12104052

 

[MenInG]

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says clubs must help each other "make football more sustainable" after plans for Project Big Picture were rejected.

Premier League clubs "unanimously agreed" on Wednesday that the proposals will not be "endorsed or pursued".

Burnley boss Sean Dyche also stressed power in the game should be shared.

"We have to find a way that works for everybody," said Arteta, adding that clubs have an obligation to protect the lower leagues and grassroots football.

"That can make this game sustainable and we can still evolve regarding the context we are in at the moment, which is important as well.

"It's different to what it was 20 years ago. We have to move. We have to share a vision to achieve that at the end of the day for the benefit of everyone."

The plans, proposed by Liverpool and Manchester United, were rejected at a meeting of the 20 clubs in England's top flight, who instead agreed to "work together" on a new "strategic plan" for the "financing of English football".

They also decided on a £50m rescue package for League One and League Two clubs at the meeting.

"It's very special the way the Premier League has conducted itself over the years, from playing in another league in Europe," added Spaniard Arteta.

"I think that is a massive strength. If we can maintain the unity and sustain our way of doing things that is very valuable and the image we protect to the outside world is really strong. I hope that we can maintain that."

The 'Project Big Picture' proposalsThe Premier League cut from 20 to 18 clubs, with the Championship, League One and League Two each retaining 24 teams.The bottom two teams in the Premier League relegated automatically with the 16th-placed team joining the Championship play-offs.The League Cup and Community Shield abolished.Parachute payments scrapped.A £250m rescue fund made immediately available to the English Football League and 25% of all future TV deals.£100m paid to the Football Association to make up for lost revenue.Nine clubs given "special voting rights" on certain issues, based on their long time in the Premier League.

Burnley manager Dyche, who has either played or managed in each of England's top four divisions, says clubs need to find a balance which "all parties can buy into".

"I played in League One and League Two. Do I want them to suffer? No, I don't. If there can be a way found from all parties, whether it's the government, the Premier League or football in general, then I hope somehow a way can be found," he said.

"What seems to be the narrative is the top six having most of the decision-making power. If you are talking about looking after everyone in the lower leagues, in theory, to look after the Premier League, you share that power.

"Therefore, they should say: 'OK, we want to look after them but we are going to share that power across the league simply because everyone has earned the right to be in the Premier League. We deserve to be there, we've proved that, it's an ongoing challenge but we are there.'

"It's fair that everyone should have a say and have agreed moments of who gets what for what reason. And if that can work in the bigger picture - obviously it hasn't worked in this case - then I'm sure everyone will be willing to play their part."

Source BBC

 

[MenInG]

Gary Neville says football has proven incapable of governing itself and distributing money fairly and has joined forces with a group to call for independent regulation of the game.

The group, which includes former FA chairman David Bernstein, ex-FA executive director David Davies, Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham and Conservative MP Helen Grant, have signed a 'Manifesto for Change', which claims the "dysfunctional and damaging existing structure" of football has highlighted the English game's inability to act as a unified voice during the coronavirus crisis.


It puts the blame down to the financial power of the Premier League and the lack of credibility and ineffectiveness of the FA as a governing body.

The manifesto determines the "national game operates within a model that is fundamentally flawed", proven they say by the demise of Bury last year and Wigan entering administration in July.

Saving the Beautiful Game - Manifesto for Change' key recommendations

Create a new regulatory body for football that is independent of the current structure of the game
Decide on new ways of distributing funds to the wider game based on a funding formula and a fair levy payable by the Premier League

Set up a new and comprehensive licencing system for the professional game
Review causes of financial stress in the English Football League, including parachute payments and salary caps

Implement governance reforms at the FA which are essential to ensure it is truly independent, diverse and representative of English football today

Liaise with supporters' organisations

Learn lessons from abroad and champion supporter involvement in the running of clubs

Speaking to Sky Sports News, Neville said: "The principle is that we don't trust that football can govern itself and create the fairest deal for all, whether that's the Premier League, EFL clubs, non-League clubs or the fans.

"It has been proven over this past six months that football has struggled to bring everyone together and proven to be incapable over a 25-30 year period of transforming the money in the game into something that works for everybody.

"I want the best Premier League in the world, but I want sustainable football clubs.

"There is enough money in the game to be able to have an elite Premier League, a sustainable and competitive EFL, money passed down to non-League and grassroots and where fans can get a fair deal.

"That's where an independent regulator, with that spirit at the heart of it, can come in and say 'that's not fair'.

1:49

Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes the English game needs a full restructure and potentially reduce the number of professional clubs
"I know we've got a big task in front of us, but we've got a group of people who love football and want the best for football."

Proposals for a reform of the professional game in England - called Project Big Picture - were rejected by Premier League clubs on Wednesday, despite vast support from within the English Football League.

The Premier League also announced plans for a "rescue package" for League One and League Two clubs - consisting of grants and interest-free loans totalling a further £50m on top of the £27.2m solidarity payments already advanced.

Sky Sports News reporter James Cole explains the Premier League clubs' decision to reject Project Big Picture but to create an emergency financial package for clubs in League One and League Two
Neville has criticised the time it took for the money to arrive, adding he would be "embarrassed" to be a member of the Premier League.

"I don't want to take all the money off the Premier League," Neville said. "I want the best players and the best managers but they've spent £1.2 billion in a pandemic and it took six months for them to pass £50m down to the EFL.

"I would be embarrassed to be part of the Premier League as a member if it had taken me six months to sort out a rescue package for the EFL that need it when they're spending that level of money on transfers. It's not good enough."

In response to the manifesto, an FA spokesperson said: "The Football Association plays a vital role in governing and regulating English football and our league structure and ecosystem is the envy of the world. We work hard to maintain this system, with a clear focus on the wider game; not just serving the elite level, but the whole football pyramid and throughout the grassroots game.

"As English football's governing body, it is our responsibility to work together to determine what is best for our game as a whole, with full dialogue between all key stakeholders.

"As we have said this week, any changes have to be done in the right way and with a long-term perspective in mind. We are not interested in any changes that are designed to serve one area of the game, nor will we entertain ideas that are primarily in the interests of the few.

"If the Government would want to amend and increase our responsibilities and powers to further improve the system, then we would be happy to discuss that with them, and of course we would consult with the leagues in the process. But most importantly, any changes must benefit clubs, fans and players across the English game.

"The FA has a clear direction and ambitious targets to ensure English football continues to be a force for good across every level of the game."

Bernstein, who served as the FA's chairman for three years from January 2011, has told Sky Sports News the balance of power in English football "is out of kilter" and says an independent regulator is the only way to save the game from a current "crisis".

He said he had sympathy for the FA but criticised football for being "resistant to change".

"It is clear that football is in a state of crisis. It's a crisis that's been building up for years or maybe even decades," said Bernstein.

"Clearly Covid has brought things to a head but this is not something new. It's something that's been talked about for many, many years.

"The strength of the Premier League and the disparity of wealth have led to a schism between the Premier League and the rest of football and created pressures on the rest of football that are just not sustainable and that is obvious at the moment.

"And secondly, the poor governance that exists throughout football and particularly the Football Association still is a problem.

"The balance of power in the national game between the governing body the Football Association and the Premier League is out of kilter.

"Football has been resistant to change whether that has been self-interest, whether it be vested interest or for whatever reason it's been resistant to change.

"We have concluded that the only way to get substantial change in football is by the appointment of an independent regulator and that can only happen with the support of a parliament because this regulator is going to need serious muscle to make the range of changes."

The other group members are former Governor of the Bank of England Mervyn King, television presenter and former Olympic heptathlete Denise Lewis and sports lawyer Greg Scott.

The group also commissioned a survey of English football fans which found that 76 per cent agreed a radical change in governance was needed and 78 per cent believed the English club model was unsustainable without change.

Their report also expresses its concern at the lack of diversity within the game and a commitment to determine whether sufficient resources are being made available to develop the women's game and football for the disabled.

https://www.skysports.com/football/...or-independent-regulation-in-english-football