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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Elliott Jackson

EFL chairman Rick Parry reignites 'Project Big Picture' debate after Super League collapse

English Football League chairman Rick Parry insists the "best of Project Big Picture" should be reviewed in the wake of the Super League collapse.

Manchester United and Liverpool played significant roles in a proposal that was quickly rejected by Premier League clubs last year.

Like the Super League, Project Big Picture collapsed within 48 hours, with rivals outraged at part of the plan which would have given the "Big Six" increased voting rights on commercial decisions, with the Premier League trimmed to 18 clubs.

However, Parry has always championed the proposal, as it would have seen a £250million cash injection to the EFL, as well as a 25% cut of any future TV deals.

Though the proposal was seen as another 'money-grabbing scheme' by Premier League clubs, Parry believes that the best part of Project Big Picture must be reviewed to protect the English football pyramid.

"We want to input the best of Big Picture to the Premier League strategic review and we'll import it to the Government's review," Parry told the Telegraph.

"It's very simple - we (the EFL) want 25 per cent of the total TV revenue, we want an end to parachute payments, we want a narrowing of the cliff edge between the Championship and the Premier League, because our watchword, our entire focus, is on sustainability."

With Championship and EFL clubs on the brink of financial ruin as a result of the COVID pandemic, a £117.5million loan from private sector was secured.

An emergency funding package from MetLife Investment Management offered an injection £8million for each Championship club, though it would not have been necessary, in Parry's eyes, had Project Big Picture been agreed.

"One thing that the pandemic has reinforced is how important our clubs are at the heart of their communities," Parry said.

"The genuine communities clubs have been magnificent during the pandemic, not just in terms of keeping alive and getting the season finished, which was a huge challenge, but above and beyond that they've been working with the NHS, they've been delivering food parcels, they've worked on mental health issues. I mean, the community efforts have been enormous."

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