Premier League's stance on EFL deal emerges after Rick Parry ramps up pressure
Premier League chiefs insist they are still committed to agreeing a financial deal with the EFL.
They will hold a two-day meeting early next month which comes as EFL chair Rick Parry ramped up the stakes by criticising the Prem this week for not showing enough “ambition” to find a compromise.
One of the main sticking points remains as to how any deal will be funded. By November, the Premier League were close to making a formal offer of £900m over six years. But then talks stalled and there remains a strong possibility an independent regulator will have to intervene. EFL clubs believe the Premier League’s Big Six are willing to pay - but it is the lesser teams who are less keen.
An obvious sticking point is why one of the bottom six clubs would want to give cash to Championship rivals to help them strengthen their chances of taking their place. It could yet be paid for by a transfer levy but again there is a sticking point over this because clubs feel it punishes ambition.
Either way, the Premier League have doubts over whether Parry actually wants to do a deal and simply wants to apply pressure. There are also doubts over whether the EFL have it within their remit to unilaterally change the football calendar when it comes to their schedule.
Chelsea complete record-breaking Enzo Fernandez transfer after deadline day rush
Pozzo case makes headlines
Watford owner Gino Pozzo has been in the headlines over an alleged Spanish tax offence - but the reality tells a very different story in what has become a who's who in high-profile cases with footballers, personalities and pop stars.
Spanish prosecutors recommended a 12-year prison sentence for the 59-year-old businessman after accusing him of a "long-term criminal plan" while in charge of Spanish club Granada for allegedly trying to evade around £8m in tax on transfers.
Pozzo, who became Watford’s sole owner in 2014 and relinquished control at Granada a year later, has denied any wrongdoing and will fight to clear his name. The case against Pozzo had already been dropped in 2022 because of a lack of evidence.
Watford owner Gino Pozzo has been in the headlinesBut the list of previous cases is remarkable - and the vast majority ended up with settlements being paid to the Spanish tax office who seem to be anxious to go public as part of their tactic.
Lionel Messi, Javier Mascherano and Angel Di Maria were all part of a case targeting Argentinian players over alleged tax offences and all were threatened with jail but all settled. Cristiano Ronaldo was threatened over a £5.7m sum but settled while Xabi Alonso was threatened with five years’ prison but was cleared completely.
Carlo Ancelotti, Luka Modric and Andres Iniesta were all cleared. Gerard Pique was threatened with two years in prison over offshore payments but was cleared. Pop star Shakira was threatened with eight years over £14m but ended up being fined.
It puts a different slant on Pozzo’s case and Watford remain calm about the situation surrounding their owner. In fact, things have been very calm at Watford this season as Valerien Ismael was even rewarded with a new contract last autumn which is in stark contrast with the usual managerial merry-go-round.
Jose Mourinho has been linked with a host of clubs since leaving AS Roma (Tullio Puglia/UEFA)CAA Base's Newcastle links
The talk around Jose Mourinho and Newcastle is probably down to ever-growing agent links at St James’s Park.
CAA Base have done a huge number of deals on players and contracts for Newcastle and their agents appear to have the ear of the hierarchy at the club.
Eddie Howe has done a fabulous job and transformed the club but expectations have risen since the Saudi takeover. Surely he deserves a medal rather than pressure on his future. But if they did make a change in the summer then Mourinho’s name seems certain to crop up.
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Even though super-agent Jorge Mendes has long-standing ties with Mourinho and took him to his last job with Roma, it was CAA Base who played a big part in him going to Tottenham in 2019 and look after his commercial deals.
A similar conversation in football around Dan Ashworth and Manchester United will not go away either. United have already made a statement of intent by poaching Omar Berrada from Manchester City to be their next CEO.
US seek another England coup
US Soccer pulled off a major coup by getting Chelsea women’s boss Emma Hayes to be their next national team coach.
They are also likely to be keen on arranging another international friendly with England if the calendar allows later this year. Their last meeting in October 2022 became the fastest-selling women’s fixture in history.
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