Breakaway league was suggested – FA chief

A BREAKAWAY league was “mooted as a threat” in Project Big Picture discussions, Football Association chairman Greg Clarke has said.

Clarke revealed in a letter to the FA Council he had been part of initial discussions until late spring, when he walked away.

At that point, he claims “the principal aim of these discussions became the concentration of power and wealth in the hands of a few clubs, with a breakaway league mooted as a threat”.

He added: “I, of course, discontinued my involvement and counselled a more consensus-based approach involving all Premier League clubs and its chair and CEO.

“Our game needs to continually seek to improve but benefits need to be shared.”

Project Big Picture discussions have been led by Liverpool and Manchester United and became public knowledge on Sunday.

The plans also have the backing of EFL chairman Rick Parry, with the PBP proposals including an immediate £250 million bailout for clubs in his competition starved of matchday income by the coronavirus pandemic and a promised 25 per cent share of future Premier League broadcast revenue.

However, the plans have been criticised over proposals which appear to concentrate power in the hands of the Premier League big six, including over broadcast arrangements, club ownership and composition of the league’s board.

Clarke warned that the FA had “substantial controls” it could bring to bear if it felt any proposal was put forward that ran counter to the interests of the game.

He also insisted that any breakaway competition would not be sanctioned by the FA.