EFL clubs are SPLIT on the support for Project Big Picture after gatherings of all 72 parties

EFL clubs are split on whether or not to support Project Big Picture with meetings of the three divisions involving all 72 clubs, disintegrating today without a firm agreement.

While the Championship clubs are believed to have offered their support to Chairman Rick Parry in continuing his negotiations for a radical restructuring of the Premier League that would bring more funding to the EFL, Sportsmail has learned that clubs in League One and League Two were much more critical of the proposals from Liverpool and Manchester United.

A number of clubs expressed concern that the Premier League’s apparent anger over Parry’s involvement in secret talks with Liverpool and Manchester United could jeopardize the bailout they want to survive for the rest of the season, a widespread fear reported by Sportsmail on Monday.

Other clubs were also unhappy that they had not been kept informed of the negotiations or talks with investment companies about providing external financing, including an offer from TPG to buy a 20 percent stake in the EFL for £ 300 million. was rejected last week.

The split in the EFL appears to be about how desperate clubs are for a bailout package for the remainder of the season, which has been further jeopardized by Parry’s involvement in clandestine negotiations with Liverpool and United, putting the Premier League at risk. away from the process.

As many as seven clubs in League One and Two need additional funding to ensure they can pay all of their players this month, so they are wary of the Premier League, which is pushing forward their stiff opposition to the Project Big Six Proposals. opposes.

The Championship clubs had largely given up hope of receiving money from the Premier League, which those in the second tier view as competitors, so have less to lose and are therefore willing to support Parry’s continued partnership with the Big Six.

There is also genuine second-tier excitement over what Parry has described as a ‘financial reset’ to narrow the gap between the Premier League and the lower leagues, which, if introduced, would include an immediate £ 250 million bailout package to the loss of gate receipts during the pandemic, as well as a commitment of a 25 percent share of the top flight’s next television rights contract, estimated to be worth around £ 700 million a year to the EFL.

In a separate development, FA Chairman Greg Clarke wrote to the FA board ahead of a meeting on Wednesday to clarify the governing body’s position.

While the FA has specific concerns about plans to do away with the Community Shield in particular, Clarke will tell Council members that they will not come to a clear position until a package of reforms is approved by the Premier League.

The main changes proposed in Project Big Picture are:

• The Premier League will be reduced from 20 to 18 teams, with Championship, League One and League Two all keeping their usual 24 clubs.

• Nine ‘long-term shareholders’ are given power and special voting rights on a variety of issues in the Premier League, including rule changes, who becomes chief executive, and even if a new owner can take over at another club.

• A £ 350 million bailout fund will be immediately made available to the EFL and Football Association for lost earnings for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons.

• The League Cup and the Community Shield are completely abolished.

• Parachute payments will be dropped and instead 25 percent of Premier League revenues will be distributed to the EFL.

• Promotional playoffs began, involving the 16th-seeded team in the Premier League and the 3rd, 4th and 5th in the championship.

• Funding will be provided to create a new and independent women’s competition.

• Season to start later and friendlies extended for the season.