The Project Big Picture rejected unanimously- all details inside

Project Big Picture has been voted against by the Premier League although League One and League Two clubs will have access to £77.2m in support. 

The Premier League decided to take down the controversial project proposal in order to reform English football but have had a mutual consent to a strategic review that will seek a “vibrant, competitive, and sustainable” league structure.” 

It was last weekend that the Telegraph reported Liverpool and Manchester United were at the forefront of plans that would be responsible to divert the funds towards the English Football League (EFL) and thereby ending the Premier League’s one-club one-vote system of rule and weighing voting rights in favor of the so-called “Big Six” and three other longest-serving teams in the English top-flight. 

Former Liverpool chief executive, now EFL chairman and one of the architects of the Premier League in 1992, Rick Parry backed the plan with full grit. It was told that a £250m bail-out for clubs in the lower divisions stricken by the COVID-19 crisis would be incorporated. 

It was also said that 25% of all the future Premier League television deals would be diverted to the other three professional divisions in England. 

The Premier League and also the UK government have now objected to the proposals as they fear that the Premier League may become a ‘closed shop’, as called by some fans and pundits over recent speculations. 

An emergency meeting was held on Wednesday where the Premier League released a statement justifying the future of the “Big Project.” The statement read, “All 20 of its clubs unanimously agreed that Project Big Picture will not be endorsed or pursued by the Premier League of the FA (Football Association).” 

“Premier League shareholders agree to work together as a 20-club collective on a strategic plan for the future structures and financing of English football, consulting with all stakeholders to ensure a vibrant, competitive, and sustainable football pyramid.” 

It was also confirmed that the clubs would like to work in an open and transparent process, focusing on competition structure, calendar, governance, and financial sustainability. Despite the rejection, the Premier League have announced a rescue package of £77.2m for clubs in League One and League Two. 

The League One and League Two will have access to £20m in grants over the short term, while the remaining £30m will be set aside to ensure no team from the same division goes out of business as a result of COVID-19. 

Featured image credits- goal.com