PARACHUTE PAYMENT IMPASSE

THE PREMIER LEAGUE and EFL appear to be making little progress in negotiations over a new financial settlement — the so-called New Deal for Football — despite face-toface talks last week. The EFL are still demanding a 25 per cent share of future Premier League TV rights, but the top flight are offering a modest increase from the current 16 per cent, with 19 per cent mentioned in last week’s negotiations. The Premier League are refusing to bow to the EFL’s request to radically alter or even abolish parachute payments. They argue that without the cushion of four years’ guaranteed income, promoted clubs would not invest enough in new players, thus making the division less competitive. The EFL say parachute payments have destroyed the Championship’s competitive balance.