The English Premier League are set to hand out part of this season’s prize money now in order to ease the cash flow problems in the English top tier.
According to the Times, an agreement between the league’s 20 clubs was reached last week which will see sums ranging from several million to over £20m handed out depending on current league positions.
The decision comes as Rangers suggest a similar resolution in Scotland with the SPFL proposal on the league’s culmination only handing out money when the season is called.
This has led to a belief that clubs could have their votes on the SPFL proposals held to ransom with the financial implications of the domestic league shutdown suffocating clubs.
The Premier League’s decision to do this sets a unique precedent which clubs such as Rangers will point to in negotiations with the SPFL’s member clubs and the SPFL itself.
The likes of Aberdeen [Clyde SSB] and Hearts [Hearts] have already backed Rangers’ proposals which similarly aim to have a portion of prize money handed out to support the nation’s football clubs.
Rangers have described the suggestion that rival clubs could vote down other sides based on current standings as “abhorrent”, making clear they oppose ending a season before playing 38 games.
For the SPFL proposals to pass they need 75% of each division’s vote, with Rangers, Hearts and Aberdeen’s vocal opposition meaning only one more club needs to vote it down.
If the carrot of prize money is removed it will allow clubs to decide on the league with much more clarity and less financial pressure.
