EPL clubs have "unanimously agreed" that "Project Big Picture" will not be "endorsed or pursued." The controversial plans were rejected at a meeting of the EPL's 20 clubs on Wednesday. Instead, all clubs agreed to "work together" on a new "strategic plan" for the "financing of English football." The clubs also decided on a £50M ($65M) rescue package for League One (third-tier) and League Two (fourth-tier) teams at the meeting. Discussions will also continue with the English Football League over financial support for the second-tier League Championship. "Project Big Picture" would have seen more power transferred to the so-called "big six" EPL clubs. In its statement, the EPL said its members had agreed to work together on a strategic plan going forward.
EPL CEO Richard Masters said, "Clearly there's some frustration that a proposal that hadn't had the input from the clubs has been pushed so hard in public. ... It was a candid, positive and -- in the end -- a unanimous meeting." Masters added, "While there's been a lot said, I don't think it's irreparably damaged the Premier League" (BBC, 10/14).
Earlier on Wednesday, U.K. Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden labeled EFL Chair Rick Parry’s proposal "project power grab" and urged the EFL to stop being "distracted" (PA, 10/14).
BBC Sport's Simon Stone wrote, "Depending on how you look at it," the work of Liverpool Owner John W. Henry and ManU counterpart Joel Glazer is "either dead in the water or has opened discussion on something the EFL in particular has been calling for desperately" (BBC, 10/14).
