Move to stop ‘Big Six’ breakaway

LONDON: The Premier League are countering the threat of a Big Six breakaway with a series of strategy meetings to keep all their clubs on side.

There has been strong concern at the PL about Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea and Arsenal deciding policy between them.

This reached a head when the six disrupted a PL clubs' summit to have an unscheduled huddle about a proposed Chinese TV rights deal — leaving disgruntled representatives from the other 14 sides kicking their heels.

PL executive chairman Richard Scudamore has now responded by inviting groups of five randomly chosen clubs to discuss long-term plans in a more relaxed environment than the chairmen's gatherings — the next of which is on Thursday. Daily Mail