Newcastle United takeover QC reveals his thoughts on Premier League's Project Big Picture – and whether the proposal will 'get off the ground'

Mike Ashley’s Newcastle United takeover QC Nick De Marco has revealed his thoughts on the Premier League’s leaked Project Big Picture plans – and he does not believe it will ‘get off the ground’.
Newcastle United's English owner Mike Ashley watches from the stands during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on September 27, 2020.Newcastle United's English owner Mike Ashley watches from the stands during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on September 27, 2020.
Newcastle United's English owner Mike Ashley watches from the stands during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on September 27, 2020.

De Marco, along with fellow Blackstone Chambers brief Shaheed Fatima QC, has begun a legal evidence gathering mission in a bid to force through the PIF, PCP Capital Partners and Reuben Brothers takeover of the Magpies.

And in light of that, De Marco has taken to Twitter to react to the Premier League bailout proposals, which could see the English Football League handed a £250million rescue package, but to the detriment of the integrity of the English game.

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The plans, leaked over the weekend, include the top flight ‘big six’ plus Everton, West Ham and Southampton being granted ‘special voting rights’ as ‘long-term shareholders’, allowing them to veto changes of ownership to other clubs.

Promotion and relegation would also be altered, with the Premier League reduced to 18 teams, parachute payments binned along with the Community Shield and League Cup.

“If true, this proposal is likely to be very controversial among majority of EPL clubs. Why would the majority of clubs vote to deprive themselves of any future say? Can’t see it getting off the ground,” said De Marco.

“The most obvious flaw of Rick Parry’s ‘Project Big Picture’ is that by locking in for ever the power & control of the ‘big 6’ the competition would become so degraded and predictable that it would lose its unique appeal, and in turn the broadcasting revenue the clubs depend on.”

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He added: “There needs to be radical thinking but Parry’s plan is the opposite of what’s needed and threatens competition.”

Speaking about the plans, ironed out by Manchester United and Liverpool, EFL chairman and former Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry said: “The message from Liverpool and Manchester United is that they do genuinely care about the pyramid.

“The Premier League could have come up with a plan like this at any time. How long has it taken to get a rescue package? Months.

“It was May when the government said we need the Premier League to step up.

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“We genuinely think that this is in the best interests of the game as a whole. It is about saving the pyramid."

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