Liverpool set for ‘ballistic’ government row – Wyness: ‘Fans won’t like this’
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness has claimed Liverpool and nine other Premier League clubs could be involved in a “ballistic” row with a new independent regulator.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – insisted the “government don’t realise” the proposals could be a “big vote loser”.
The Football Governance Bill, which includes the introduction of an independent regulator, was read for a second time in Westminster on Tuesday (23 April).
A regulator would have backstop powers to impose an agreement between the Premier League and the EFL on how wealth is redistributed – with top-flight clubs rejecting a £900million-a-year deal last month.
The Daily Mail revealed (12 March) that Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham were among the 10 sides to reject the increased funding.
Liverpool and nine other Premier League sides set for ‘ballistic’ government row
Wyness claimed “fans won’t like it” if the government forces their clubs to pay more to lower league sides.
He told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “The worst case scenario for an independent regulator would be that instead of the £1.6billion that’s given to lower league clubs – they make it £2.6billion.
“The clubs then say no, and then you’ve got a real battle – which will not only go ballistic in public but will also be a problem for the government.
“Some football fans won’t like it.
“This is what the government don’t realise. Football seems like a very simple tool for them to use, until it turns against them.
“It’s a big vote loser, as well as a vote winner.
“Right now, an independent regulator can be a big vote loser if there comes to be a big fight in the seasons ahead.”
In other news, “huge” Arne Slot compensation details emerge from Anfield.
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