Project Big Picture looks doomed as all 20 Premier League clubs agreed to continue their collective agreement.
Liverpool and Manchester United had led the project which would see the English top flight reduced from 20 to 18 teams, and power concentrated in the hands of just nine clubs.
EFL clubs were said to be overwhelmingly in favour of the proposal, as the Football League would obtain 25 per cent of Premier League revenues and a £250million up-front payment.
FA chairman Greg Clarke had warned against pursuing with Project Big Picture, saying it was built on "short term decisions that would be damaging in the long term".
A Premier League statement says all league stakeholders will "work together as a 20-club collective on a strategic plan for the future structures and financing of English football, consulting with all stakeholders to ensure a vibrant, competitive and sustainable football pyramid."
Change may come, but they maintain, "Clubs will work collaboratively, in an open and transparent process, focusing on competition structure, calendar, governance and financial sustainability."
Premier League statement:
All 20 Premier League clubs today unanimously agreed that "Project Big Picture" will not be endorsed or pursued by the Premier League, or The FA.
Further, Premier League Shareholders agreed to work together as a 20-club collective on a strategic plan for the future structures and financing of English football, consulting with all stakeholders to ensure a vibrant, competitive and sustainable football pyramid.
Clubs will work collaboratively, in an open and transparent process, focusing on competition structure, calendar, governance and financial sustainability.
This project has the full support of The FA and will include engagement with all relevant stakeholders including fans, Government and, of course, the EFL.
Also at today's meeting it was agreed to make available a rescue package which aims to ensure that League One and League Two clubs will not go out of business as a result of the financial impact of COVID-19 and be able to complete the 2020/21 season.
League One and League Two clubs rely more heavily on matchday revenue and have fewer resources at their disposal than Championship or Premier League clubs and are therefore more at risk, especially at a time when fans are excluded from attending matches.
This offer will consist of grants and interest-free loans totalling a further £50million on top of the £27.2million solidarity payments already advanced to League One and League Two this year, making a total of £77.2million.
Discussions will also continue with the EFL regarding Championship clubs’ financial needs. This addresses Government concerns about lower-league clubs' financial fragility.
Football is not the same without attending fans and the football economy is unsustainable without them. The Premier League and all our clubs remain committed to the safe return of fans as soon as possible.
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