Vince questions ‘power grab’ deal

Forest Green Rovers chairman highlights the pros and cons of Project Big Picture

PROJECT Big Picture could gain wider support if it proposed that Premier League decisions were subject to a simple majority vote, according to Forest Green Rovers chairman Dale Vince.

Details of the project, which is being led by English Football League chairman Rick Parry, with support from some of the country’s leading clubs, including Liverpool and Manchester United, first emerged over the weekend.

Among the proposals

are an immediate £250 million rescue package for EFL clubs affected by the coronavirus pandemic and a 25 per cent share of the Premier League’s net media revenues in the future.

But it has been criticised for appearing to concentrate too much power in the hands of the Premier League’s so-called big six, who would have a greater say on a whole range of issues through a change to the voting system.

Vince believes there is plenty of merit in the work done by Parry, but sees why the voting changes could be viewed as a “power grab”.

“This has got some questionable elements – it’s not perfect, but they might just be negotiating points,” Vince told the PA news agency.

“The bit I’m thinking of is the proposal for six big clubs in the Premier League to dominate voting. If that was done as a simple majority that would be an improvement on where we are today where it takes 14 out of 20 to pass any rule change.

“I think that is the part that people are railing against as far as I can see. It stands out as a bit of a power grab – we’ll give with one hand, but take something a little bit bigger with the