Leeds United is dominating the Championship and is expected to make a quick trip back to the Premier League.
However, considering the Elland Road club’s immediate goals, it does put them in a tricky position with reference to the ongoing tensions between the English Football League and the top division.
The Premier League’s £900 million support plan, which calls for redistributing funds farther down the pyramid, was again postponed last week, leaving The Whites and several other EFL clubs in dismay.
For the teams hoping to gain, there has been good news, as EFL chairman Rick Parry expressed optimism that an impartial arbiter will soon be appointed to assist in settling the conflict. His excitement stems from Tuesday’s introduction of the Football Governance Bill to Parliament (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.
If all of the MPs are suitably supportive and this has garnered cross-party support, there’s every reason to believe that this will become law by the end of this year. We think the regulator will come in relatively quickly because the government clearly wants to get this finalized within this Parliament and it’s pretty clear that we’re facing an election towards the end of this year. Thus, that should truly concentrate attention.
Naturally, Elland Road is hoping that in the upcoming months, promotion back to the Premier League is assured.
However, if they are unable to cross the boundary, there is a guarantee that an agreement over the reallocation of funds would be reached soon.
Parry’s most recent admission will be welcomed by Leeds and the other EFL clubs, and a deal is expected to be reached soon.
Even though there is still a long way to go before such an agreement is reached, Leeds will nevertheless value Parry’s efforts given the precarious current situation between the EFL and Premier League.
