LONDON – The so-called “Project Big Picture” has been labelled a “power grab” by the Premier League’s biggest and wealthiest clubs, taking advantage of the dire financial position of the English Football League (EFL) – which comprises the three divisions directly beneath the top flight – amid the coronavirus crisis.
However, Joel Glazer pitched the Project Big Picture plan to fellow Big Six executives by telling them that the strength of English football is in the pyramid. The Manchester United co-owner is one of the driving forces behind the Revitalisation document that has proposed radical changes in the way the English game is run.
The principal difference on the field would be the reduction of the Premier League from 20 to 18 teams with the overall number of clubs in the top four English divisions shrinking from 92 to 90. Only two teams would be automatically promoted to and relegated from the Premier League with third-bottom in the top tier joining third, fourth and fifth in the second-tier Championship for the traditional end-of-season play-offs.
The blueprint or change was developed by John W Henry, Liverpool’s principal owner, with Old Trafford throwing its weight behind the idea.
Project Big Picture would dramatically overhaul both the finances and the power structure of the national game. The Premier League would provide an instant £250 million (RM1.3 billion) cash injection to the EFL to prevent clubs going bust at a time when they are without match-day revenue due to coronavirus restrictions.
A further £100 million (RM536 million) would be provided to the English Football Association, which also has mounting coronavirus costs due to international games behind closed doors, notably to help women’s football.
The majority of EFL clubs are behind the initiative. Rick Parry, the organisation’s chairman, has worked closely with Henry for at least three years to help develop these ideas. “This new beginning will reinvigorate clubs in the lower leagues and the communities in which they are based,” Parry said.
But, the principal objection to the plans is that the power will be concentrated in the hands of the “big six” - United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur as part of a “long-term shareholder” group. Six votes would be enough to decide on policy. The remaining 11 top-flight clubs would lose their voice in determining the division’s direction.
There are divides even within the ‘Big Six’. Spurs are supportive but Chelsea, Arsenal and City have reservations. The rest of the Premier League are against the idea. The plan would reduce them to powerless bit-part players, giving them their share of the wealth but stripping them of the ability to have a say in their own fate.
A Premier League statement criticised Parry for publicly backing Project Big Picture, which the ruling body called “damaging.”
The Football Supporters’ Association weighed in, too. The fans’ group said: “Once again it appears that big decisions in football are apparently being stitched up behind our backs by billionaire club owners who continue to treat football as their personal fiefdom.”
Yet, the message from the north-west giants is that everyone has to make sacrifices to ensure the sustainability of the pyramid. “There will be a shift of power,” Parry said. “But it’s power with responsibility. The two biggest clubs in the country are showing some leadership. This would protect teams that are at risk from going under.” – Agencies, October 14, 2020
