Liverpool, Man United back proposal to scrap League Cup, reduce EPL teams, others
Liverpool and Manchester United are backing a plan to radically change the Premier Leagues structure, according to a report on Sunday in Manchester.
The changes will see more power being given to the big clubs, reducing the 20-club league to 18 clubs and scrapping the League Cup.
The plan will see the Premier League commit to providing 25 percent of the leagues revenue to Football League (EFL) clubs
It will also see a 250 million pounds (326.15 million dollars) package to help with the immediate impact of the COVID-19 crisis.
The report said the plans had been put together in a document called Revitalisation.
It was produced by Liverpools American owners Fenway Sports Group, with support from Manchester Uniteds Florida-based owners, the Glazer family.
A source with knowledge of the discussions and the document confirmed to Reuters that the report was accurate.
The Premier League, Manchester United and Liverpool did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The plan does not, however, call for the top six to be given a greater share of television revenue.
The plan has the public backing of EFL chairman Rick Parry, the former Liverpool chief executive, who has expressed concern about the state of EFL clubs finances.
The proposal is sure to prompt a lively debate within the Premier League.
The change to the one club, one vote system has been in place since the league was formed as a breakaway from the Football League in 1992.
The plan calls for the nine clubs with the longest continued presence in the league, which includes the big six, to be given long-term share-holder status.
They are to also have the ability to make changes with the support of just six of the nine.
The bottom two clubs would be automatically relegated from the Premier League and replaced with the top two from the Championship.
The 16th-placed Premier League club will have to play in a play-off with the Championships third-, fourth- and fifth-placed clubs.
The plan will need the support of 14 of the Premier Leagues 20 clubs to be approved.
Source: NAN News