AHEAD OF THE GAME: Clubs discussing friendlies during World Cup

AHEAD OF THE GAME: Premier League clubs are in discussions over friendlies during World Cup while the Big Six continue to push for more TV cash

  • Clubs are looking to organise friendlies to take place during the World Cup 
  • Big Six clubs are looking to rally behind Todd Boehly in push for more money 
  • FIFA chief Gianni Infantino is looking to secure his path to re-election next year 
  • Accrington Stanley’s owner facing opposition over social media action
  • Click here for all the latest World Cup 2022 news and updates

Premier League clubs are holding talks about staging friendly matches among themselves during the World Cup in order to prepare for the resumption of the season on Boxing Day.

Most clubs are planning to give players not involved in the tournament two weeks off when the Premier League pauses after November 13. Then they will return for a second four-week pre-season, which should include a programme of matches.

While the clubs envisage most matches taking place behind closed doors, some will be staged in public as a bonus for their fans.

Premier League clubs are discussing potential friendlies between themselves during the World Cup involving their players who might not be heading to Qatar

Another cash-grab planned by the Big Six 

The Big Six are planning another cash grab by pushing for a greater share of the Premier League’s overseas television revenue.

This follows growth in the value of foreign rights in recent years reducing their advantage over the rest of the top flight.

The earnings ratio of the Premier League’s top to bottom club has narrowed from 1.8/1 to 1.5/1 over the past three years, with champions Manchester City picking up £153.1million in TV earnings last season compared to bottom club Norwich City’s pot of £100.6m. It is a significant change largely due to the increase in overseas rights deals from £3.3billion to £5.4bn over the same period.

The Premier League’s overseas fees were split equally between the 20 clubs until 2019, when a merit-based element was introduced, but performance-related payments only account for £77m of the £1.06bn paid out to the clubs last season.

The Big Six are looking to rally behind Todd Boehly’s demands for a larger share of the overseas television revenue

Infantino breaking with tradition to try and secure re-election

FIFA president Gianni Infantino is taking no chances in his bid to be re-elected next year, with opportunities for potential opponents to move against him strictly limited during the World Cup.

In a break from tradition, FIFA will not hold their Congress before the tournament and there have been no meetings of the confederations scheduled to take place in Qatar either, which will reduce the chances of co-ordinated moves from opponents to unseat Infantino.

The presidential election will take place at the next FIFA Congress in Rwanda next March, with Infantino hoping to be returned unopposed.

Gianni Infantino is unlikely – or unwilling – to want to give up his presidency anytime soon

Holt comes under fire for his public face but lack of apparent action

Accrington Stanley owner Andy Holt came in for criticism at a meeting of League One clubs this week for his habit of discussing major issues facing the game on social media rather than attending EFL meetings.

Earlier in the week, Holt had inadvertently revealed that some EFL clubs benefit from their supporters’ gambling losses by receiving a cut from punters who open a betting account via one of their official partners. Labour MP Carolyn Harris branded the scheme ‘exploitation’ on Wednesday.

Andy Holt has come under fire from fellow owners for his activism on Twitter but apparent lack of attendance at EFL meetings

Holt did not attend the divisional meeting at which the subject was discussed on Thursday. Accrington do not receive any income from the EFL’s affiliate gambling deal, with Holt writing on Twitter: ‘I would not let our staff encourage gambling.’

However, the club do operate their own lottery, which they promoted on their website this week.

Energy crisis to hit playing surfaces in the Football League

The quality of playing surfaces in the EFL could suffer as a result of the energy crisis, with several clubs looking at reducing the use of lighting rigs on their pitches in an attempt to slash rising electricity bills.

Many clubs in the Championship run the lighting rigs to provide the ideal conditions for grass to grow when natural daylight is limited — but may reduce the hours this winter. Ground staff have expressed concern that their pitches will suffer.

Ground staff are fearful the energy crisis could impact upon the quality of surfaces they can produce this season as the nights draw in




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