Leeds United and 'Project Big Picture': Premier League respond to plan calling for 18-team division and EFL rescue package

The Telegraph have broken news about a 'Revitalisation' document authored by Liverpool’s owners the Fenway Sports Group which suggests a reduction in the Premier League to 18 teams with greater power given to the division's 'big six' and the scrapping of the League Cup and Community Shield.

The Telegraph say the plan already has the support of Manchester United with the other clubs in the 'big six' - Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur - expected to follow suit in giving the proposals their backing.

The plan would see 25 per cent of the Premier League's annual income go to EFL clubs, providing the EFL with a £250 million rescue package in the country's ongoing battle against coronavirus whilst the FA would receive a one-off £100m payment to cover losses, as well as to help fund non-league, women's and the grassroots structure.

EFL chairman Rick Parry believes a radical overhaul of the Premier League is the best way to safeguard the future of clubs below the top flight.

But in a statement released on Sunday afternoon, the Premier League said they were disappointed that Parry had given the proposals his 'on-the-record support.'

The statement read: "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."

The report suggests there would still be three teams relegated from an 18-team Premier League with three promoted but with the 16th-placed team in the Premier League going into a play-offs system against the sides that finished third, fourth and fifth in the Championship with the top two still automatically promoted.

The League Cup would be either scrapped or no longer feature the teams in Europe whilst the future of the Community Shield would also be up for debate.

The ‘one-club, one-vote’ principle, which currently sees every Premier League side get an equal say in proceedings, would also go along with the minimum threshold of 14 votes to pass regulation changes.

The nine clubs who have been in the country’s top flight for the longest would then have the power to dictate how the competition is run - the big six plus Everton, Southampton and West Ham - with six votes needed to change a rule.

Changes to the loan system would also allow clubs to send out 15 players on loan domestically.

Parry told the Telegraph: "It is definitely going to be challenging and it is an enormous change so that won't be without some pain.

"Do I genuinely think it's for the greater good of the game as a whole? Absolutely.

"And if the (big) six are deriving some benefit then why shouldn't they. Why wouldn't they put their names to this otherwise?"

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/yorkshire-evening-post-launch-leeds-united-only-digital-subscription-ahead-premier-league-campaign-2967964A message from the Editor:

Leeds has a fantastic story to tell - and the Yorkshire Evening Post has been rooted firmly at the heart of telling the stories of our city since 1890.

We believe in ourselves and hope you believe in us too. We need your support to help ensure we can continue to be at the heart of life in Leeds.

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/why-yorkshire-evening-post-needs-your-support-laura-collins-yep-editor-2913382

Subscribe to our website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app.

With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.

Click here to subscribe.

For more details on our newspaper subscription offers click here.

Thank you Laura Collins