Woodward grab for TV cash sparks fury

COMMENTS by Manchester United’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward last summer continue to rile clubs opposing Big Six-led attempts to grab more of the Premier League’s TV cash.

Woodward, along with his Manchester City counterpart Ferran Soriano, are now perceived as the club leaders doing most to push for a 35 per cent share of the overseas funds being awarded by league position from the next deal rather than being equally shared.

The issue has split the PL ahead of Wednesday’s vote, with nine clubs in the Big Six camp and 11 opposed and showing no signs of budging despite the lobbying being done by PL executive chairman Richard Scudamore to achieve the 14-6 majority necessary for a rule change.

Minutes from the PL’s AGM in June detail Woodward’s concern that all clubs in the top flight can afford to buy players from overseas, making the transfer market that much harder for clubs who ‘traditionally qualify for the Champions League’.

That view caused a stir at the time, and continues to do so.

It has been interpreted by some PL outfits as fat cats United and their ilk not wanting clubs who finish lower in the division interfering with their business.

How dare they. And it has hardened opinion ahead of a PL vote that looks like being a major reverse for ringmaster Scudamore unless a more acceptable option is put on the table. THE MCC face yet more upheaval with unpopular chairman Gerald Corbett (right) encountering strong opposition from those who do not want him awarded a second three-year term. The trustees and MCC committee, who contain an influential antiCorbett group, will have to make a decision by early 2018 ahead of May’s AGM reappointment schedule. Corbett’s super busy hands-on approach has not gone down well at Lord’s. But when asked if he was aware of a possible coup against him, he said: ‘I’m always interested in members’ opinions.’ THE ECB’S planning around eight city-based sides for their T20 tournament starting in 2020 is concentrating on market research to help pick venues most likely to deliver big crowds.

The major headache appears to be Cardiff, which is far from certain to sell out.

It is likely the team based in Cardiff will also play in Bristol and Taunton. The other seven grounds are expected to be the six major Test venues — Lord’s, The Oval, Trent Bridge, Edgbaston, Old Trafford and Headingley — plus Southampton’s Ageas Bowl.