Premier League ‘big six’ holding up agreement over £900m solidarity package for EFL

Premier League clubs are still struggling to reach an agreement over how much each should contribute to the solidarity package for the EFL, talkSPORT understands.

A landmark £900million package has been discussed to support the 72 clubs across the Championship, League One and League Two following a spate of financial issues in recent years.

The so-called ‘New Deal’ would see top-flights side filter money into the lower divisions over six years and was top of the agenda at Tuesday’s Premier league shareholders’ meeting.

However, the historic ‘big six’ clubs Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham remain reluctant on the idea.

This due to the demands of their smaller counterparts to pay a greater percentage of their revenue into the pot.

The lesser clubs argue that a sliding scale payment system based on sporting merit is unfair and that overall turnover should be factored in.

A vote on the matter is yet to be held and the EFL are said to be becoming increasingly impatient.

The need for financial support comes following the financial struggles of numerous EFL clubs in recent years including Derby County, Reading, Wigan Athletic and Bolton Wanderers.

In June, a report by the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee said that if no funding plan was reached soon, then the Government should accelerate bringing in the regulator to impose a deal.

Dame Caroline Dinenage MP said: “Unless the football authorities get their act together soon on agreeing a fairer share of revenue, we risk more clubs collapsing, with the devastating impact that can have on local communities."

The hope remains that a deal can be struck to bridge the gap between the Premier League and the rest of the football pyramid.