In the UK, controversy is gaining momentum over a radical reform plan for the English Premier League (Premier League) and the league system as a whole.

It was initiated by the owners of two leading clubs - Liverpool and Manchester United.

They jointly developed a document called The Big Picture Project.

So, the number of participants in the Premier League should be reduced from 20 to 18, which, according to the authors, will unload the calendar.

At the end of the season, the teams that took the last two places are automatically relegated to the next league in importance, and the 16th will compete for a place in the top division with the teams of the Championship that took the third, fourth and fifth places.

The abolition of the English Football League Cup and the FA Super Cup is also expected.

Several points relate to the financial issue.

The English Football League (AFL), which includes the Championship, Ligue 1 and Ligue 2, should receive £ 250 million to help teams affected by the coronavirus, as well as 25% of Premier League club revenue annually.

£ 100 million will be allocated to the maintenance of the Football Association of England (FA).

In addition, the nine clubs that have spent the most consecutive seasons in the Premier League at this point in time will benefit from voting on a variety of issues, including regulation changes.

Now these include themselves Manchester United and Liverpool, as well as Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham, Everton, Southampton and West Ham.

They will also have the opportunity to play more matches in the Champions League, which is expected to expand in the 2024-25 season.

At the same time, the votes of six out of nine such teams will be enough to make a number of decisions, without the approval of all other participants in the Premier League.

It is reported that the main goal of the reforms is to reduce the difference between the incomes of the Premier League teams and the minor leagues, as well as control over decisions in the Premier League.

Such a reform has been discussed for several years, but its need became especially noticeable in the context of the pandemic, which had a negative impact on the financial situation of clubs and tournaments.

Executives at Liverpool and Manchester United hope the proposed changes will take effect in two seasons.

The project has already received AFL approval.

According to its head Rick Perry, most clubs in the Championship, Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 have already supported the innovations.

This was confirmed by Forest Green Rovers and Derby County.

Perry expressed the opinion that such drastic decisions cannot do without negative consequences, but they are necessary to improve the current position of the teams.

"What should we do?

Leave it as it is and let the smaller teams waste away?

Or do something?

Of course, nothing can be done without change.

Therefore, if assistance is received not only by the Big Six (Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham.

- RT

), but also all 72 teams, then we are completely for ", - quoted by the words of Perry The Telegraph.

However, to implement the reform, it is necessary that 14 out of 20 members of the Premier League vote for the Big Picture.

Although no official statements have yet been made by any of them, the media reported on the reaction of West Ham representatives.

Despite the fact that he is now one of nine clubs that will be granted special rights, his management sharply criticized the proposal.

In particular, his fears are related to a decrease in the number of home matches, which, in turn, will negatively affect income.

In this case, the advantage will be given to the teams that regularly play in the international arena, that is, basically the "big six".

The Big Six is ​​using the coronavirus to seize power.

If they achieve their goal, then in the future they will increasingly use their advantage, "- quotes the words of the representatives of West Ham BBC.

It is expected that a meeting of the FA leadership will take place on Thursday, at which this issue will be discussed.

The organization has the right to single-handedly block reforms, and some media reported that it intends to use this option.

The proposal of Liverpool and Manchester City was not supported in the Premier League itself.

The league stressed that they advocate a joint solution to the problems faced by British football due to the pandemic.

And such a project can create disunity.

“There are many stakeholders in football, so this work needs to be done through the right channels to allow all clubs and stakeholders to contribute.

From our point of view, a number of individual proposals contained in the plan published today could be detrimental to the entire game.

We are disappointed that AFL head Rick Perry officially endorsed them.

The league has worked in good faith with clubs and the AFL to find a solution to the issue of financial assistance in connection with the pandemic, ”- said in a statement published on the official website of the Premier League.

It should be noted that potential innovations are being discussed at the state level as well.

Minister of Digitalization, Culture, Media and Sports Oliver Dowden admitted that he was skeptical about the project.

“If this practice of behind-the-scenes agreements continues, we will have to revise the fundamental principles of football governance.

The manifesto promised that a critical analysis will be carried out by the fans, and I must say that the events of recent weeks again make this issue relevant.

There will be serious questions about governance in this sport until the clubs, Premier League and AFL cooperate.

I am sure that many fans will wonder why this does not happen when help is needed, ”Dowden told Sky Sports.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's spokesman also called on the organizations to cooperate.

“We urge the Premier League and the AFL to continue their constructive cooperation to reach an agreement to provide a comprehensive package of support to the entire football family,” Reuters quotes a spokesman for the head of government.

Despite the wave of criticism, including in his address, Parry said that he will continue to support Liverpool and Manchester United.