Leeds United will love Rick Parry comments on independent regulator amid £900m update last week
Leeds United are flying high in the Championship, with a rapid return to the Premier League very much on the cards.
It does, however, place them in a somewhat awkward position regarding the ongoing tensions between the top flight and the English Football League, given the Elland Road club’s immediate ambitions.
The Whites were among a number of EFL clubs left in dismay after the Premier League’s £900million support plan – which involves the redistribution of revenues further down the pyramid – was delayed once more last week.
There has, however, been a positive update for those clubs looking to benefit, with EFL chairman Rick Parry now hopeful that an independent regulator will be in place shortly to help resolve the dispute. His optimism comes after the Football Governance Bill was introduced to Parliament on Tuesday (19 March).
Leeds United will love the latest comments from EFL chairman Rick Parry
“It’s just worth clarifying for the avoidance of doubt that we haven’t, of course, had any offer from the Premier League,” said Parry, as quoted by Bristol Live (19 March). “They haven’t been able to get that over the line. We hope this might accelerate the process, but if it doesn’t then the regulator will have powers to step in and bring a deal about.
“We are hopeful because I think this is another area of uncertainty that’s now been removed. Up to now it’s been, ‘will they do the regulator won’t they do the regulator?’ There’s probably an element at the Premier League level of, ‘well, let’s wait and see’. Well, now we know it’s coming and we know that there will be powers.
“We think the regulator will come in relatively quickly because the government clearly wants to get this finalised within this Parliament, and it’s pretty clear that we’re facing an election towards the end of this year, so provided all the MPs are suitably supportive and this has had cross-party support, there’s every reason to believe this will become law by the end of this year. So that really ought to focus minds.”
The hope at Elland Road, of course, is that promotion back to the Premier League is secured in the coming months.
But in the eventuality that they don’t manage to get over the line, then the promise that a deal should be in place in the near future for the redistribution of funds will provide a feeling of comfort.
Leeds and the other EFL clubs will be delighted at the latest admission from Parry, with an agreement set to take place sooner rather than later.
There is, of course, still a long way to go to reach such an agreement, but Leeds will still appreciate the efforts of Parry amid the delicate relationship between the EFL and Premier League at this moment in time.
In other Leeds United news, Wilfried Gnonto will be fuming after an official announcement was made recently.
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