The Football League has broken off talks over a potential revamp of the pyramid under which it could have expanded to 80 teams and introduced a winter break.
A statement released by the EFL on Wednesday claimed that talks over the so-called whole game solution had stalled over the Football Association’s refusal to move FA Cup matches to midweek.
“The EFL board has today announced that they will cease discussions on the whole game solution with immediate effect after the Football Association informed them they were no longer prepared to consider rescheduling FA Cup fixtures into midweek slots,” read the statement.
“The decision has been taken with significant regret and disappointment and brings to an end the EFL-led debate on the possibility of the single biggest reform of the English League structure since the inception of the Premier League in 1992.
“In order for the whole game solution to be viable, it required the English football authorities to look collectively at the fixture schedules and create additional weekends for League football.
“However, after seeking clarification on the FA’s position following the recent announcement of their new international broadcasting deal, the EFL were informed that there was no longer a sufficient advantage for the FA in making the changes.”
The whole game proposals, unveiled by the EFL’s chief executive, Shaun Harvey, in May, were part of an attempt by the EFL to be seen as leading the debate on reducing fixture congestion. Together with the FA and the Premier League, part of the aim is to revamp the crowded fixture calendar so that a winter break becomes feasible. It has already led to the FA dropping FA Cup replays from the quarter-finals but Harvey blamed the breakdown in negotiations squarely on the governing body.
“As a result of the FA’s decision, the board has been left with no option but to end the whole game solution discussions as, in its current form, it is no longer viable,” he said.
“If the weekend slots are not available, then there is simply no way we can meet the financial conditions (to be no worse off) as outlined at the very outset.
“The stance the FA has adopted has brought the discussions to a premature end, before fully understanding what the financial outcome from the creation of a new distribution model could be.
“If the FA are willing to change its position then we are, of course, open to re-engaging in what is a hugely important debate that was designed to help shape the future of football in this country.”
The FA has since denied it is blocking plans to ease fixture congestion. “The FA remains fully committed to working with the EFL and the Premier League to address the issue of fixture congestion in the professional game,” said a spokesman.
“This is why we are trialing the removal of sixth-round replays in the FA Cup this season and why we supported the EFL in consulting on its innovative ideas for reform. That commitment remains.”
