Play fair or game will fold
FOOTBALL chiefs have been warned the pyramid is “crumbling” – and is in danger of “total collapse”.
Campaign group Fair Game, which represents 34 clubs across the football pyramid, says the current model is unsustainable.
They have compiled extensive data to highlight the issue 24 hours before the Football Governance Bill’s second reading in Parliament tomorrow.
Fair Game claim that 58 per cent of clubs across all four divisions are “technically insolvent” and warn the gulf between the Premier League and Championship is growing due to parachute payments.
They are calling for an overhaul of Part Six of the proposed Bill which outlines rules around financial distribution.
The key findings of Fair Game’s latest data on distribution of TV income reveal that for every £1,000 from the broadcast deal, £882.42 goes to Premier League clubs, then £73.48 to Championship clubs in receipt of parachute payments and £32.85 to the other Championship clubs.
It falls to £6.22 for League One clubs, £4.15 for League Two clubs, National League clubs get 58p and just 15p goes to National League North and South clubs.
Fair Game is making its latest push just days after the FA and Premier League scrapped FA Cup replays, which left EFL clubs fuming at the loss of potential revenue.
Meanwhile, the Premier League and EFL have yet to reach a financial deal for a better split of funds and the Government have warned the new regulator will impose it if necessary.
Fair Game CEO Niall Couper said: “The football pyramid is crumbling before our very eyes.
“At every level it is falling apart and a continuation of the current system could see its total collapse.
“Part Six of the Bill needs to be completely rewritten. If the regulator is to secure the financial sustainability of the game it must take full control of football’s financial flow.
“Leaving it in the hands of the current authorities is the road to ruin.”