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Premier League clubs reject Project Big Picture plans led by Manchester United and Liverpool during emergency meeting as top-flight sides agree to ‘undertake a strategy review instead of agreeing to major shake up’
- Premier League clubs have reportedly rejected the Project Big Picture proposals
- Top-flight clubs met virtually on Wednesday to discuss Project Big Picture
- The plans would see more funding for EFL clubs and competitions scrapped
- But the clamour for the ‘Big Six’ to have more power angered top-flight clubs
- Instead all 20 clubs have reportedly agreed to a ‘strategy review’
Premier League clubs have reportedly rejected the Project Big Picture proposals during an emergency meeting on Wednesday.
The top flight met to discuss the radical plans for a shake up of English football for the first time via video conference on Wednesday.
But the 20 clubs agreed to a ‘strategy review’ and to make a ‘new bailout offer to the EFL’.
Liverpool and Manchester United, as well as EFL chairman Rick Parry, are behind a radical restructure to English football that would bring increased funding for the EFL, reduce the top flight from 20 to 18 and scrap the Carabao Cup among other things.
But the proposal also outlines how the Premier League’s ‘Big Six’ would acquire more power in decision-making and that has caused anger within the top flight and other areas of the football pyramid.
Premier League clubs met on Wednesday to discuss Project Big Picture for the first time
Liverpool owner John W Henry (L) and Manchester United’s Joel Glazer (R) are behind the plans
Currently, at least 14 of the Premier League’s 20 clubs need to vote in favour of any major proposals in order for them to be introduced.
But at the start of Wednesday’s meeting it was thought that at least eight clubs are against the plan, including Brighton, Burnley, Crystal Palace, Fulham, Sheffield United and West Brom.
It emerged on Tuesday night that EFL clubs are split over whether to support the plan with meetings of the three divisions involving all 72 clubs held on Tuesday ending without a firm agreement.
As reported by Sportsmail, Championship clubs are understood to have offered chairman Parry their support while clubs in League One and League Two were far more critical of the proposals.
There are fears the Premier League’s clear anger at Parry’s involvement in secret talks with Liverpool and Manchester United could jeopardise the bailout they are seeking to survive for the rest of the season.
As many as seven clubs in League One and Two need extra funding to ensure they can pay all their players this month so are wary of further antagonising the Premier League.
More to follow.
Liverpool and United’s owners have reportedly held conversations with EFL boss Rick Parry
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