LONDON: Premier League clubs are holding a shareholders’ meeting on Wednesday after Football Association chairman Greg Clarke said a breakaway from the top flight was wielded “as a threat” during talks over radical proposals to restructure English football.
The “Project Big Picture” plan, backed by Liverpool and Manchester United, has been criticized by the government, the Premier League and fan groups.
Proposals include cutting the number of Premier League teams from 20 to 18, scrapping the League Cup, controversial changes to voting rights and a financial settlement for the English Football League (EFL).
Representatives of the 20 Premier League clubs will have the chance to debate the issue in the open for the first time during a virtual get-together on Wednesday that comes after an eye-catching intervention from Clarke.
In a letter to the FA council, which convenes on Thursday, he said he had taken part in initial discussions before walking away when he felt the aim had become “the concentration of power and wealth in the hands of a few clubs, with a breakaway league mooted as a threat.”
Clarke warned the FA could use its so-called “golden share” as a trump card if it felt the wider interests of the game were being compromised and suggested any breakaway competition would not receive the necessary sanctions from the governing body.
“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,” he said.
The plans have been championed by EFL chairman Rick Parry, with teams in the Championship, League One and League Two in line to receive £250 million ($323 million) up front alongside a promise of a 25 percent share of future Premier League broadcast revenue.
Support among the 72 EFL clubs appeared to be soaring after separate divisional meetings led by Parry on Tuesday, although the plans have reportedly been less well received by most Premier League clubs outside the elite names.
Former Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale, representing Preston, said there were “no dissenting voices” in the Championship call, Burton Albion chief executive Jez Moxey described League One support as “unanimous” and Leyton Orient chairman Nigel Travis said excitement about the plans was “overwhelming.”
But Christian Purslow, chief executive of Premier League club Aston Villa, indicated his opposition to Project Big Picture before the shareholders’ meeting.
“I don’t think we should give too much credence to this particular plan,” he told the BBC. “I think a much broader, long-term plan for football is what I would expect to come from the Premier League.”
The Football Supporters’ Association has described the proposals as a “sugar-coated cyanide pill offered up by billionaire owners who do not understand or care about our football culture.”
A joint statement from supporters’ groups representing Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City, Tottenham, Arsenal and Chelsea followed, in which fans of the “Big Six” clubs made clear their opposition to the initiative in its current form.
English Premier League clubs debate radical reform plan
https://arab.news/c6xek
English Premier League clubs debate radical reform plan
- The ‘Project Big Picture’ plan is backed by Liverpool and Manchester United
- Football Supporters’ Association has described the proposals as a ‘sugar-coated cyanide pill’
Salt and Pepper season Abu Dhabi Knight Riders’ route into the ILT20 playoffs
- The Abu Dhabi Knight Riders will face Dubai Capitals in the Eliminator 1 on 1 January
DUBAI: Abu Dhabi Knight Riders secured a place in the top four of DP World ILT20 Season 4 with a commanding 32-run victory over Gulf Giants in the final league match at Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.
The crucial win confirmed the Knight Riders’ progression to the playoffs, where they will face Dubai Capitals in the Eliminator on January 1. Desert Vipers and MI Emirates will contest Qualifier 1 on December 30, with a place in the final at stake.
A dominant 131-run opening partnership between Michael Pepper and Phil Salt laid the foundation for the Knight Riders’ success. Pepper struck 83 from 51 balls, while Salt remained unbeaten on 72 from 56 deliveries, as the pair propelled their side to a formidable total of 179 for 1.
Pepper led the charge during a brisk powerplay, racing to a half-century from just 31 balls as the Knight Riders reached 56 without loss inside the first six overs. Azmatullah Omarzai endured a costly fifth over, conceding 20 runs including three sixes, two of them launched by Pepper.
The opening pair brought up a 100-run stand in 67 balls — only the second century partnership of the season — before Aayan Khan finally broke through in the 15th over, with Pepper holing out to Mark Adair. Pepper’s innings featured six boundaries and four sixes.
Salt reached his own half-century from 44 balls in the 17th over and finished strongly, adding an unbeaten 48-run stand with Liam Livingstone (18 not out from 13 balls) as the Knight Riders plundered 18 runs from the final over.
Defending 180, Jason Holder struck early, removing Rahmanullah Gurbaz for a duck in the opening over and later dismissing Gulf Giants captain James Vince for 19. Ajay Kumar added to the pressure by accounting for Ben Kellaway, while Sunil Narine conceded just five runs across his first two overs.
By the end of the powerplay, the Giants had slumped to 32 for 3, but Moeen Ali mounted a spirited counter-attack. The England all-rounder smashed 79 from 49 balls, reaching his half-century in 31 deliveries and briefly reviving hopes with a 45-run stand alongside Kyle Mayers.
However, Narine turned the tide decisively in the 15th over, removing Mayers and then Sean Dickson for a duck. Andre Russell sealed the contest in the 18th over, striking twice in consecutive deliveries to dismiss Moeen and Aayan Khan, as the Knight Riders closed out the innings efficiently.
The Gulf Giants were eventually restricted to 147 for 9, handing the Knight Riders a comprehensive victory.
Player of the match Pepper said the innings was built on discipline and smart decision-making.
“It was about being patient and waiting for the right match-ups,” Pepper said. “When the spinners came into the attack, Salt allowed me to face most of the deliveries and I was happy to take responsibility. As a group, we just need to keep putting in the hard work.”
Gulf Giants captain James Vince acknowledged his side fell short on the day.
“It was a surface where they scored 20 to 30 runs above par,” Vince said.
“We weren’t able to strike early with the ball, and full credit to the way Pepper and Salt went about their innings. Moeen played a really good knock for us, but six losses in a row is tough to take.”
