Premier League chief executive Richard Masters has confirmed the league will not reduce from 20 to 18 clubs, despite increasing pressure from FIFA and global competition organisers. He said that domestic football must not be sacrificed in the name of international growth. The decision comes amid growing concerns from players and clubs over a congested fixture calendar. Masters pointed out that the Premier League has maintained its 20-team structure and 380-game format since 1994, and there’s no reason to change it now. He emphasized the need for FIFA and other global bodies to hold proper discussions with domestic leagues before implementing new competitions like the expanded Club World Cup and the 48-team World Cup. Players and unions have long raised concerns about burnout, with top stars such as Rodri even suggesting a potential strike over rising workloads. Chelsea and Manchester City have also been denied a delayed season start despite their busy summer schedules, showing how tight the calendar has become. Masters says it’s unfair to make decisions that affect domestic leagues without their input, especially when clubs are being pushed into action with little rest. While Ligue 1 in France has reduced to 18 teams, the Premier League feels it must stay firm to protect its own integrity and competitiveness.
See also: Newcastle REJECT Liverpool's first official offer for Isak
Richard Masters also addressed broader issues facing the Premier League, especially scheduling conflicts and commercial growth. He criticized the global football calendar for being overloaded, with the new international competitions forcing domestic leagues to sacrifice traditional fixtures like FA Cup replays and squeeze cup matches into tighter slots. A key issue is that Premier League clubs now have limited off-season recovery time, with players returning just a few weeks before the new campaign begins. Masters argued this creates conflict within the league, especially for clubs involved in tournaments like the Club World Cup or Summer Series. Despite this, the Premier League remains committed to expanding its global reach. The Summer Series, a pre-season tournament in the US, is part of the league’s commercial strategy and is expected to return in 2027. While some within the league have questioned the use of central funds on the tournament, Masters defended it as an important move to grow the brand particularly in partnership with US broadcaster NBC. Masters also addressed the growing influence of the Saudi Pro League, saying the Premier League remains strong due to its unpredictable nature and competitive structure. He believes fans still love the league because of the constant battles from relegation fights to European qualification and title races. As global pressures mount, Masters remains confident that the Premier League can adapt and grow without giving up what makes it special
Comments
Post a Comment