Ed Woodward urges PL to deliver on promise to restructure the English game

The Premier League must “deliver on its promise” to look at the structure and financing of the English game, Manchester United’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has said.

Woodward admitted on Tuesday that his club had played an “active role” in Project Big Picture plans, which became public knowledge earlier this month but were swiftly rejected by other top-flight clubs.

The plans were criticised for seeking to concentrate too much power in the hands of the Premier League’s so-called big six, but contained provision for an immediate £250million bailout to EFL clubs affected by the coronavirus pandemic and a 25 per cent share for the EFL of future Premier League broadcast revenue.

Woodward said he welcomed the decision of Premier League clubs to work together on a strategy review and said it was something that had to be addressed.

“There will always be intense debate around any changes to the structure of football, just as there was before the formation of the Premier League 28 years ago,” he told investors following the announcement of the club’s 2019-20 financial results.

“Now, at this critical juncture for the game, we must ensure that the huge success of the Premier League is reinforced while ensuring that the wider football pyramid continues to thrive in a rapidly-changing media environment

“Achieving this will require strategic vision and leadership. We are pleased that the Premier League has committed to work together on a plan for the future structures and financing of English football.

“Now it must deliver on that promise, and we are committed to playing a leading role in pushing that process towards a successful outcome.”

The PBP plans created tensions between the Premier League and the EFL, after the latter’s chairman Rick Parry spoke publicly in support of them.

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said his organisation had “no beef” with EFL clubs but that there was a need to “re-establish trust” with the EFL’s leadership.

Football Association chairman Greg Clarke claimed a breakaway league had been “mooted as a threat” in the PBP discussions, at which point he walked away from them.

The Football Supporters’ Association described the PBP proposals as “a sugar-coated cyanide pill”.

On the same day that the Premier League rejected PBP, it announced £50m in additional funding for clubs in League One and Two comprised of grants and loans.

The offer was rejected by the EFL on the grounds that it “fell some way short” of what was needed and did not include Championship clubs.