David Sullivan is a controversial figure amongst the West Ham fans

HomeFinance Wed 20 March 2024 12:40, UK

EFL chairman Rick Parry has fumed at what West Ham owner David Sullivan claimed about the Premier League and a new independent regulator of football.

Sullivan had questioned the need for the independent regulator, insisting they could ruin the success of the Premier League and force competition with teams across Europe.

Parry countered that argument by revealing that the clubs in the English top flight pay over PS2billion more than European leagues on their wages - rubbishing the idea they could be dragged down easily.

Speaking live on talkSPORT [20 March, 10:37], Parry took exception to Sullivan's latest claims as he explained: "We don't agree.

"Back in 2009 when the Premier League was number one in Europe, teams were winning the Champions League, getting to finals and semi-finals, the Premier League was paying PS560million per year more in wages than the other four major European leagues.

"If you fast-forward ten years to 2019, they were paying PS1.6billion more than the other major European leagues. The gap between the Premier League and the other European leagues had widened by PS1billion.

"If you look at what's happened in the last three years while we've been talking and wonder whether a regulator is happening, the gap between the Premier League and the other four leagues has widened again to PS2billion.

"They are so far ahead of everybody else that the idea they're going to be dumbed down, pulled back and caught by the others, it isn't happening any time soon.

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"If you look at the 14 clubs outside of the top six, their wages bill is bigger than the other European leagues including the very top clubs. The Premier League are engaged in their own arms race. It's nothing to do with keeping them preeminent, it's to do with competing with themselves."

Will an independent regulator affect West Ham? The new body which now looks likely to be brought in was the recommendation of a review of football governance, which would be independent from the existing authorities in the game including the Premier League - as well as having powers to oversee the top five tiers in England.

As far as Sullivan is concerned, it will weaken the power and influence the Premier League holds both in England and in Europe by undermining the league, which could force a more level playing field between English and European clubs financially.

The EFL have been outspoken in their support for the reforms, which would likely help to avoid the questions aimed at Premier League decision-makers after the profit and sustainability situations at Everton and Nottingham Forest.

London Stadium is the home of West Ham United Given the gap between the Premier League and the EFL financially, Parry's argument makes sense. He will want what's best for his clubs, and the greed of those at the top of the Premier League, including Sullivan, has a direct impact.

In other West Ham news, Ivan Toney transfer news has emerged.