- Premier League clubs failed to agree EFL funding deal this week
- DCMS says it has “clear plans to deliver a sustainable future for football”
In the week that Premier League clubs withdrew from a new funding deal with the English Football League (EFL), British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak signed legislation bringing forward English football's independent regulator.
Sources close to the Premier League have said the club will vote on an offer said to be worth an additional £900m (about US$1.2bn) over six years to the EFL at a shareholders' meeting in London on the 11th. He expressed his hope that it would be submitted. The meeting was held in March but failed to materialise, with 20 clubs now prioritizing new cost control measures to replace the existing Profitability and Sustainability Regulations (PSR).
Bloomberg first reported earlier on Tuesday that the Football Governance Bill had Sunak's full support, and the PA news agency also said this was true and that the bill could be published as early as this month. I understand.
Culture Secretary Lucy Fraser has previously warned that if the Premier League and EFL cannot agree on their own, the regulator will have “backstop” powers to impose a deal on both sides.
A Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) spokesperson said: “The Government is on the side of football fans and continues to work with leagues and clubs ahead of the introduction of the Football Governance Bill.” .
“We have a clear plan to deliver a sustainable future for football that puts fans at the heart and the upcoming legislation will deliver this through a tough new independent regulator.”
Dame Caroline Dinenage, chair of the culture, media and sport selection committee, previously accused the Premier League of making “empty promises” to the EFL regarding funding.
The postponement had already come under fire from former Manchester United captain Gary Neville, but now Dinenage has spoken out.
“The longer this stalemate lasts, the more the commitments made by Premier League clubs to reach agreements with other members of the pyramid will look like empty promises,” Dinenage told the PA news agency.
“Premier League participation numbers should rise further as the country’s richest teams continue to park buses to prevent financial settlements, and the government is making a big deal to bring in an independent regulator.” There is an urgent need to introduce the legislation being debated.”
“Every day that goes by without a deal threatens the financial sustainability of clubs in communities across the country.”
The government has warned that if the Premier League and EFL cannot agree on their own, the new regulator will have the power to impose a deal on both sides.
Measures to reduce team costs being considered by the Premier League are not expected to be voted on until the league's annual general meeting at the earliest.
The EFL will discuss the matter at its board meeting on March 14. Until a new deal is signed, the EFL will not cede a spot in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg or FA Cup rematch.
UEFA's club competitions are scheduled to expand next season, so crowds are expected.
The CMS committee questioned Premier League chief executive Richard Masters and EFL chairman Rick Parry in January about the lack of agreement.
Masters admitted at the time that there had been disagreements over the size of the offer to the EFL and where the additional funding would come from.
However, Premier League officials suggested at their last meeting on February 29 that there was reason to be optimistic a deal would be put forward.
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