Manchester United and Manchester City supporters have joined forces with fan groups from Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Tottenham to oppose Project Big Picture.
News broke earlier this week of the radical proposals aiming to overhaul the Premier League in order to safeguard clubs playing in the English Football League.
United and Liverpool were at the forefront of the plans that would see the size of the Premier League reduced to 18 teams and give greater powers to the 'big six'. The proposal includes an immediate rescue package to the EFL and Football Association but has been widely condemned across the country.
Now, Manchester United Supporters' Trust (MUST) and the Manchester City Official Supporters Club have released a joint statement alongside supporter groups from five other clubs to oppose the plans.
“The fans we represent are fortunate to support clubs that regularly secure the largest financial revenues in the Premier League. But all of us understand that football doesn’t work in isolation. It’s a family. It requires a fair share of resources to ensure that the Premier League is competitive to watch and that the lower leagues flourish as part of our national game.
"While the six clubs we support are widely reported to be the instigators of Project Big Picture, it is important we state very clearly that we do not support the proposals in their current form.
"The Premier League has rightly said that all stakeholders should be involved in discussions about the future of the game. And yet supporters have not had the courtesy of any communication or consultation about these plans before they were published last Sunday, despite allegedly being three years in the making.
"By floating this latest plan, those behind it are acknowledging football needs to be reformed. It’s something we have been saying for many years. There are some suggestions in this plan that have merit. But we are totally opposed to concentrating power in the hands of six billionaire owners and departing from the one club, one vote and collective ethos of the Premier League. This part of the proposal must be dropped immediately if other elements are to be given serious consideration.
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