Liverpool and Man Utd are to propose major changes to the structure of English football, and it’s caused quite a stir online among fans.
Plans are being put forward to change the voting structure of the Premier League, along with the funding models for the English Football League and Football Association.
The Project Big Picture includes several other major changes to the structure of English football – the Premier League going from 20 to 18 teams in the Premier League as well as scrapping the Carabao Cup and Community Shield.
The Premier League issued a statement after the plans revealed by the Daily Telegraph on Sunday, saying “a number of the individual proposals in the plan published today could have a damaging impact on the whole game”.
Initial talks between Liverpool, Manchester United and other “big six” clubs Manchester City, Tottenham, Arsenal and Chelsea have taken place with hope an agreement can be reached.
The reform plan, drawn up by Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group, started all the way back in 2017 and is seen as a radical change to football governance. It’s been accelerated by the coronavirus pandemic due to the financial situation facing many EFL clubs.
The positives for EFL clubs could be 25 per cent of all combined Premier League and EFL revenues going to EFL clubs, and an advance of up to £250m being made available early to help during the pandemic.
The proposed changes would put the majority of the power into the hands of the biggest clubs, ending the division’s current one-club, one-vote system.
The plan calls for the nine clubs with the longest continued presence in the league, which includes the ‘big six’ to be given “long-term share-holder” status and the ability to make changes with the support of just six of the nine.
Along with the £250m up front payment to the EFL, the FA would also receive £100m as a gift. More like bribery?
The plan has the public backing of EFL chairman Rick Parry, the former Liverpool chief executive, who has expressed concern about the state of EFL club’s finances.
“Now is the time to address both the long-term health of the game and the most challenging short-term crisis it has ever faced,” said Parry.
“Project Big Picture provides a new beginning which will revitalise the football pyramid at all levels. This new beginning will reinvigorate clubs in the lower leagues and the communities in which they are based.
“The whole of English football has been negatively impacted by this pandemic and the English football pyramid as a whole is only as healthy as those at its base. Through this proposed restructuring we aim to strengthen those who need it most at a time when they need it most.
“This is about building on what is good and making the most of what works well in order to benefit the game as a whole, while simultaneously tackling those issues which trouble all of us. This is a blueprint for the future of English football and for everyone who cherishes it.”
The Premier League are “disappointed” by Rick Parry’s public support for the plans.
Along with the Premier League reducing in size from 20 to 18 clubs, there would also be a change to the promotion and relegation exchange with the Championship.
The bottom two clubs would be automatically relegated from the Premier League and replaced with the top two from the Championship.
The Premier League said it was “disappointed” by Parry’s public support for the plans.
The 16th-placed Premier League club would have to play in a play-off with the Championship’s third, fourth and fifth-placed teams.
The plan would need the support of 14 of the Premier League’s 20 clubs to be approved.
The Premier League urges football’s stakeholders to work together for the good of the game
Statement: https://t.co/07F9hVHoR8 pic.twitter.com/l8WeHtIt9x
— Premier League (@premierleague) October 11, 2020
Premier League statement
We have seen media reports today regarding a plan to restructure football in this country.
English football is the world’s most watched, and has a vibrant, dynamic and competitive league structure that drives interest around the globe. 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.
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.
Fans reacted as Liverpool and Man Utd propose major changes to the structure of English football…
Corrupt big 6….leading a cabal….need all the fanbases to unite to fight this crap
— David Tofield (@david_tofield) October 11, 2020
Never going to happen. The teams that float regularly around the bottom. Half are never going to vote to increase their chance of relegation from the premiership
— Paul B (@WibbleMyFins) October 11, 2020
Could you put a bit less detail in your news articles because this one was so heavy to read and took me ages to get through all of that detail you included
— KeithTheGooner (@KeithTheGooner) October 11, 2020
This is a money grabbing exercise by the big clubs and cannot be allowed to happen. Funny Liverpool and Utd suggest this a week after they got spanked by clubs they (wrongly) consider lesser than them
— London Hotspur (@LondonHotspur) October 11, 2020
The premier league bubble is going to burst soon, there’s too much greed involved, and the fans will turn their back on it. The £15 a match news and now this, won’t be long before people are totally fed up
— Mowers (@mowers1984) October 11, 2020
For reasons of player welfare? Nope. To provide a stronger competition? Nope. To benefit the England team? Nope. To give the big clubs more power and money? Hell yeah.
— keithsmith (@keith091270) October 11, 2020
Number of issues
1. £100m as a gift…..oops they spelled bribe wrong…..to the FA pic.twitter.com/l9TFNAk36v— ??bielsas lucky pants v3?? (@luckypantsv3) October 11, 2020
— Geordie Joe (@GJ_1892) October 11, 2020
Be better off shrinking players wages..
— Did yee aye (@SoupySoupz) October 11, 2020
How about we make a rule that teams who are beaten 7-2 by Aston Villa are not allowed to propose changes to the premier league?
— ?? Mitch Crompton (@Manameesjeff) October 11, 2020
Contradictory as you can’t win the community shield without winning an Fa Cup or Premier league…
— Dan Campbell (@DanDann91) October 11, 2020
Funny how us NUFC fans have been telling everyone that the PL is corrupt and basically a cartel all summer and were laughed at. Hopefully everyone now sees we were telling the truth
— j (@MaximumAllan) October 11, 2020
Probably so they can play less matches in the prem, and get involved in larger global/European tournaments that are big revenue drivers.
— Joe (@JoeMCMLXXXIX) October 11, 2020
If Liverpool and Manchester United want an 18-team Premier League why don’t we start by kicking them out then?
— Tom Carnduff (@TomC_22) October 11, 2020
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