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Only 18 Teams Instead Of 20? Premier League Major Reform

The English record champions Manchester United and Liverpool FC are planning far-reaching reforms in the Premier League. Among other things, just like in the Bundesliga, only 18 teams will play in the first division in the future. The League Cup could also be abolished.

The project, which is being promoted by the two most successful English clubs Liverpool and Manchester United and which runs under the name "Big Picture" (analogously: the big picture), also sees changes in the voting rights of the clubs within the league, in the distribution of TV money and the Promotion concept.

In England, the other four top English clubs (Chelsea, Tottenham, Manchester City and Arsenal) are expected to join the concept that the London newspaper "Telegraph" first reported on Sunday. The EFL, which is responsible for the leagues below the Premier League, has already welcomed the project, which has apparently been in preparation for a long time, in a statement.

More decision-making power for the big Premier League clubs

So far, all major Premier League decisions have been made democratically, with each club having one vote. With their reforms, Liverpool and Manchester United want to overturn the voting rights in favor of the larger clubs in England. The nine teams that have been part of the Premier League the longest in a row would then have greater decision-making power. Right now these are Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham, Arsenal, Everton, West Ham United and Southampton.

In addition, the League Cup and the Community Shield (the English Supercup) are to be abolished in order to ease the burden and make the clubs internationally more competitive. Another option is to exempt all clubs that take part in international competitions from the League Cup.

Relegation soon in England too?

The promotions and relegations should also be regulated differently: So far, the last three teams in the Premier League relegated directly to the second-rate championship. With the new regulation, only the last two teams would be relegated, while the third from bottom would get a second chance via relegation.

The reforms also provide for a redistribution of future TV money: 25 percent of the annual income of the Premier League is to be distributed among the 2nd, 3rd and 4th English league, also to cushion the clubs' financial collapse caused by the corona. This is what the EFL likes most.

Premier League warns of the consequences

The Premier League made a statement that it was open to change, but called for cooperation and criticized: "Some of the suggestions could damage the entire game." That Rick Parry, the chairman of the EFL, already publicly welcomed the project, was "disappointing".

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