Kieran Maguire: West Brom poised to reap rewards after private Rick Parry talks
West Brom stand to benefit if EFL chair Rick Parry manages to convince Government decision-makers to adopt the idea of independent regulation for English football.
That is the view of finance guru Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the possible powers of an independent regulator to funnel cash from the Premier League into the EFL.
Tracey Crouch MP proposed a third-party body with the capacity to implement new financial controls and safeguard the interest of supporters in her Fan-Led Review of Football Governance in November last year.
The recommendations were backed by Boris Johnson’s government, but the fate of the Review is far less certain under Liz Truss.
Per the Daily Mail last Sunday (2 October), Parry hosted a dinner for MPs at the recent Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham.
It is thought that the topic of independent regulation and the redistribution of the Premier League’s eye-watering riches will have been high on the agenda.
Maguire explained that the Baggies will be “observing with interest” as the EFL attempts to lobby the Government.
“There is no doubt that independent regulation as far as the EFL is concerned is the offering they are prepared to give up,” he told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.
“They were initially opposed to regulation, as evidenced in Project Big Picture. I think that the EFL will be keen to try to persuade MPs that a broader distribution system has benefits.
“However, this does appear to be inconsistent with the Government’s stance on regulation and taxation.
“West Brom would potentially be beneficiaries of such a change, though. I am sure they will be observing with interest.“
In other news, medical insider suggests West Brom braced for deluge of injuries as cost-cutting details emerge.