EFL chief sees progress but no fast solution
RICK Parry has stressed the EFL will be doing “everything we can to make sure momentum is not lost” with regard to the fan-led review of English football.
Two weeks ago the Government formally endorsed recommendations made in the review chaired by Conservative MP Tracey Crouch that was published last November.
The recommendations include fairer distribution of money from the top down the football pyramid and the creation of an independent regulator to ensure the game’s financial sustainability.
There has been no firm timetable for legislation, with further detail to be published by the Government in a white paper this summer.
Talks between the EFL and the Premier League over funding have been ongoing.
And when asked if discussions had been accelerated by the Government saying a regulator would be given the power to impose a solution if agreement between the parties could not be reached, EFL chairman Parry told the PA news agency: “No, they haven’t really.
“Our desire to have a reset and rethink predate the fan-led review. We’ve been saying it for two years. We thought Tracey Crouch did a great job in producing the review and that the Government’s response is well thought through and constructive.
“We’re a little frustrated that it’s not going to be in the Queen’s Speech (on Tuesday) and will be going into a white paper – but equally we understand the logic of that because this does have to be thought through properly.
“From our point, we think progress is being made. We think this is a brilliant opportunity to have a proper rethink. But the idea that we’ll sort it easily with the Premier League is not going to happen.”
Parry added: “The Government response is another step in the right direction.
“We’d love to be moving more quickly, but it’s really important to get this properly thought through. This isn’t about a tinkering, it’s about a proper rethink because really we want to create something that’s going to last for at least the next 30 years.”