Kieran Maguire: ‘Government could intervene’ as Sunderland representatives push for £300m deal
The government would “reluctantly become involved” in negotiations over financial redistribution if Sunderland and the rest of the EFL are unable to reach an agreement with the Premier League.
That is the view of finance expert Kieran Maguire, who spoke exclusively to Football Insider about the government’s stance on the ongoing negotiations between the two footballing bodies.
The EFL are seeking £300million from the Premier League to be spread throughout the lower leagues of the English football pyramid. but an agreement is yet to be found.
The Premier League are pushing for a £160million fee instead and the EFL are reportedly now “not hopeful” of reaching a settlement.
However, if no agreement is found, the government may be forced to step in and organise an independent regulator to define a fair outcome.
Maguire believes the government’s intentions are to stay out of negotiations but will step in if necessary if Sunderland and the EFL can’t agree terms.
“The government’s position is that it wants to interfere only as a last resort,” Maguire told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.
“Ideally, it wants the two parties to come to some form of settlement.
“But if that fails, it would reluctantly become involved – they believe that negotiation is better than the threat of litigation.
“The Premier League was emboldened when the Truss administration was elected last year.
“Then, there was a threat of abolishing the regulator altogether.
“They will be trying to delay the introduction of any deal and when they see the white paper, they will call their lobbyists into action to try and dilute its powers.“
In other news, Football Insider sources reveal Chelsea are willing to listen to offers for Raheem Sterling with £250m spending spree lined up