Parry backs radical plan for football

EFL chairman Rick Parry has said he wants to protect the future of clubs as he revealed the details behind ‘Project Big Picture’.

The radical plans, which came to light on Sunday, propose a drastic overhaul of the current English structure, with a move to an 18team Premier League top-flight and greater powers to the ‘big six’ among them.

The Premier League has already expressed its disappointment at Parry’s support of the “damaging” plans, but Parry went on the front foot to explain why he feels change is necessary.

One of Project Big Picture’s pledges is to hand £250million to EFL clubs in order to mitigate the current coronavirus pandemic which has seen fans locked out of football grounds since March.

“The creation of a short-term rescue fund of £250m to replace lost matchday revenue this season and last will enable every club to plan to continue to play and move forward with certainty,” Parry said.

“As an advance against increased future revenues this is not a loan and therefore does not need to be repaid. It could never have been repaid under the existing terms and revenue of the English pyramid.

“Now is the time to address both the long-term health of the game and the most challenging short-term crisis it has ever faced. Project Big Picture provides a new beginning which will revitalise the football pyramid at all levels. This new beginning will reinvigorate clubs in the lower leagues and the communities in which they are based.”

Reacting to the developments, the Football Supporters’ Association said it “notes the report with grave concern” and added: “Football is far more than a business to be carved up; it is part of our communities and our heritage, and football fans are its lifeblood. As football’s most important stakeholders, it is crucial that fans are consulted and involved in the game’s decision-making.”