The most recent news from the Championship and EFL.
Gary Neville, the co-owner of Salford City and a Manchester United star, has accused the Premier League of neglecting the rest of English football.
He has condemned the failure to agree on a new finance contract for the EFL as a “absolute disgrace” in a stinging attack.
Monday’s shareholders’ meeting in London ended without an offer, as top-tier clubs believe the goal is to develop a new financial system to replace the current profitability and sustainability standards (PSR). Premier League teams met on Monday to vote on a proposed new six-year arrangement that would see money flow down to the EFL, with sources estimating that it could be worth up to £925 million. However, that conversation was put on hold in favor of changing their own financial standards because to persistent concerns about profitability and sustainability rules (PSR).
“I am more interested in the vote they didn’t have, which was to support the rest of the Football League which they keep bumping down the road and it’s an absolute disgrace,” Neville was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.
“It is about the game’s welfare and the league’s overall sustainability. The Premier League is currently being careless in its dismissive character, simply putting it down the road, thinking’maybe a regulator will sort it, maybe we’ll sort it’ and doing nothing.
“That is not good governance; it simply reveals to me that they are not looking after the entire game as they should. It irritates me every time I witness a Premier League meeting where they appear to look after themselves but not the rest of football.”
When approached by the PA news agency for a response to Neville’s statements, the Premier League, which had previously issued a statement, declined to comment.
The government has frequently stated that it wants the football authorities to reach a new financial settlement among themselves, but has warned that it may impose one on them through ‘backstop’ powers expected to be granted to the new independent regulator. The EFL is yet to comment.
What has the Premier League said about the meeting?
On Monday night, a Premier League representative stated, “At a Premier League shareholders’ meeting today, clubs agreed to prioritize the rapid development and implementation of a new league-wide financial system.” This will provide clubs stability about their future financial plans and ensure that the Premier League can maintain its current world-leading investment in all levels of the game.
“In addition, Premier League clubs reaffirmed their commitment to establishing a financially sustainable arrangement with the EFL, subject to club approval of the new financial system. The league and clubs also reaffirmed their continuous and long-standing commitment to the wider game, which includes £1.6 billion distributed across all levels of football over the current three-year period. The Premier League’s substantial financing contributions benefit all EFL and National League clubs, as well as women’s and girls’ football and the grassroots of the game.”
