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Premier League confirm decision on ‘Project Big Picture’ proposal in statement

The Premier League confirm the decision based on the ‘Project Big Picture’ proposal in a statement issued on Wednesday afternoon.

Project Big Picture is thankfully dead in the water and everybody is already moving on.

A whirlwind 72 hours coming to an end since The Telegraph first exposed the shameful Liverpool and Manchester United plans on Sunday.

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An emergency meeting of all 20 Premier League clubs was held earlier today to discuss Project Big Picture.

After the meeting ended, The Times said that their information was that at least 14 clubs had been against the plan and said they understood that even some of the ‘big six’ may have opposed Project Big Picture at today’s remote get together.

Two interesting strands from the Premier League official statement –

Premier League clubs ‘agreed that Project Big Picture will not be endorsed by the Premier League.’

Whilst you also had: ‘Premier League Shareholders today unanimously agreed to work together as a 20-club collective on a strategic plan for the future structures and financing of English football.’

So basically, there was clearly a split regarding the Project Big Picture plan, even if only Liverpool and Manchester United prepared to speak up for it.

There was also an agreement to put together a rescue package for the EFL, with the offer including an option for the bail-out funding only to go to the League One and League Two clubs. That, however, could still be vetoed by the Championship clubs

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However, once that nonsense was swept away, the Premier League keen to show that, at least publicly, they are now ‘unanimously’ agreed to all work and push in the same direction as ‘a 20-club collective’, instead of a two (or six) club one…

Official Premier League statement: “Premier League Shareholders today unanimously agreed to work together as a 20-club collective on a strategic plan for the future structures and financing of English football.

“Premier League clubs also agreed that Project Big Picture will not be endorsed by the Premier League, any of its clubs or The FA.”

EFL chairman Rick Parry, former Liverpool chief, previously voiced his support for the proposals, and rejected claims that Project Big Picture was a power grab by the major clubs.

www.fanbanter.co.uk – Fan reaction to the latest football news, gossip & funnies

“There’s an unbridgeable gulf between the Championship and the Premier League, and there are inequalities that parachute payments create and the crazy behaviours that arise in the Championship as a result, with 107 per cent of turnover being spent on wages and £400m of owner funding required every year.

“The struggles faced by League One and League Two clubs where again there is a lot of owner funding required, they have now taken steps to behave responsibly by introducing salary caps which is a step in the right direction – so there’s a whole series of short-term and long-term issues that need to be resolved.

“From our perspective, what ‘Big Picture’ does is address literally every single one of those inequalities.”

Greg Clarke, the chairman of the FA, said: “Dear Colleagues,

“I trust that you are well in these difficult times and look forward to speaking with you all on Thursday at our Council meeting.

“Prior to that, I thought it important to provide a perspective on the recent discussions in the media related to potential changes to English football. When the news first emerged, we immediately agreed a joint paragraph with the Premier League for their statement:

“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.

“Our perspective is that we have a fantastic league structure and pyramid that is the envy of the world. While we should always be open to evolve, to move the game forwards, changes have to be done in the right way and with a long-term perspective in mind.

“We are fully aware that there are huge financial pressures throughout the game and collectively we need to work hard so that our clubs survive the pandemic. However, we must separate this need from discussions about the potential long-term structure of our wonderful game. Of course, if we can agree changes that are beneficial in the long term and have an immediate positive impact, we will consider that. Equally, we cannot be forced into short term decisions that would be damaging in the long term.

“We will always have conversations with stakeholders at both a national and international level to understand any changes to the landscape that could impact our structure and listen to ideas that are put forward. However, we would only offer formal support for any proposal when it goes through the proper channels and has a full evaluation.

“With the knowledge of senior Board members and our CEO, I participated in the early stages of discussions which were disclosed last weekend. It is very important stakeholders discuss resolving some of the strategic issues facing our game such as, for example, fixture congestion.

“However, in late spring, 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 of course, discontinued my involvement and counselled a more consensus-based approach involving all Premier League clubs and its Chair and CEO. Our game needs to continually seek to improve but benefits need to be shared.

“We, the FA Board and Council, have to ensure that any changes would be to the long-term benefit of the whole of football and we have substantial controls to help ensure that the best interests of the game are served by any new proposals.

“In addition, to the Special Share in the Premier League, which prevents certain changes being made to the constitution without the FA’s consent, it is also the FA’s responsibility to sanction competitions in England – including any proposed new competition – as well as being responsible for licensing clubs, through UEFA, to play in Europe. Additionally, UEFA look to us to nominate the league, and therefore the clubs, that will play in their competitions.

“Let’s continue to work together to determine what is best for English football, with full dialogue between all key stakeholders. However, there is more to our game than economics. Change must benefit clubs, fans and players; not just selective balance sheets. In these difficult times unity, transparency and common purpose must override the interests of the few.”

Fans reacted after seeing the Premier League confirm a decision on the ‘Project Big Picture’ proposal in a statement…

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