Richard Keys raises Leeds United example in fresh swipe at Premier League
Richard Keys raised Leeds United as an example as he aimed a fresh swipe at the Premier League over parachute payments.
Writing in his personal blog on Monday [9 December], the pundit pointed out that the Championship’s top three spots are occupied by teams that dropped down from the top flight since 2023.
He suggested that parachute payments give an unfair advantage to clubs that recently suffered relegation from the Premier League, adding that English Football League chairman Rick Parry was right in criticising the same.
“Have you looked at the top of the Championship recently?”, Keys wrote.
“Two of the top three were relegated last season – Sheff Utd and Burnley – and squeezed in between them are Leeds, who went down the previous season.
“Are we surprised? Rick Parry is right when he argues that parachute payments distort competition in that league.”
Richard Keys raises Leeds United example in fresh swipe at Premier League
Parry argues, among other things, that the parachute payments to clubs relegated from the Premier League have become “way too big” [BBC].
It is hard to argue against it as three recently relegated clubs dominate the top of the table in the Championship.
Perhaps something needs to be done to reduce the disparity, but it would be wrong to assume that all teams that drop down from the first division benefit from it.
Luton Town, for example, face the risk of dropping down to League One despite playing in the Premier League last season as they sit 18th in the table, just two points above the relegation zone.
Therefore, Leeds United, as well as Sheffield United and Burnley, deserve credit for pushing to claw their way back into the top tier this season.
It is also worth noting that Sunderland, who were in the third division three seasons ago, are within three points off first-placed Sheffield United.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites need to be braced for a shock exit in the January transfer window as this first-team star is being eyed for a move.
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