PREMIER LEAGUE CLUBS BACK £1.5BN DISTRIBUTION DEAL WITH EFL

Premier League clubs have voted unanimously to approve a proposal to distribute an additional £1.5bn across the English Football League over the next decade. The agreement was reached at a meeting on Thursday and will now be presented to the EFL's board for consideration. According to reports, the proposal represents a new strategic partnership between the two bodies and would run for ten years, with funds distributed on top of the £1.6bn the Premier League currently distributes to clubs and communities every three years.

The funding dispute has persisted since a government-commissioned fan-led review in 2021, which followed several crises in English football including the failed European Super League project and the collapse of Bury FC. Under the proposal, some money would be allocated to discrete funds including a "lifeboat" scheme for clubs facing immediate financial crisis and a separate fund directed exclusively at infrastructure investment. The additional costs to Premier League clubs would be covered through an increase in the transfer levy applied to top-flight deals, raised from 4% to 6%.

The EFL acknowledged that constructive discussions had taken place and stated its board would review the full details of the proposal, including its potential benefits and alignment with the interests of its 72 member clubs, ahead of further dialogue with the Premier League. This marks the first time Premier League clubs have officially agreed a proposal to put to the EFL since being asked to increase financial distribution to the wider pyramid five years ago. The EFL board is expected to receive the formal proposal for detailed consideration in the coming days.