Gary Neville Slams ‘Selfish and Greedy’ Premier League in Explosive Rant Over EFL Funding
Gary Neville has launched a scathing attack on the Premier League, accusing it of being “selfish,” “greedy,” and acting like a “bully” in ongoing discussions over funding for the English Football League (EFL).
In a passionate outburst during the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, Neville criticized the Premier League’s approach to negotiations surrounding extra financial support for lower-league clubs. Talks over a new television deal between the top flight and the EFL have been stalled since March, and a parliamentary debate on the introduction of an independent football regulator to resolve the issue is expected soon.
While the Premier League has pledged £1.6 billion ($2.1bn) over the next three seasons to support the football pyramid, Neville, co-owner of Salford City, remains unimpressed. He called for a fairer distribution of funds to ensure the sustainability of smaller clubs in the EFL.
“I have no idea what they’re playing at — they look awful to me,” Neville said. “They look selfish. They look greedy. Everything you wouldn’t want to be in life, everything your parents wouldn’t want you to be.”
Neville went on to emphasize the need for sustainable financial models in football, adding, “We want a sustainable game. I’m an owner of a football club, I want my club to be sustainable. Football is not sustainable right now, and we have a Premier League that acts entitled, like a big brother throwing scraps to the smaller clubs. That’s not how a family operates.”
With growing calls for reform, Neville’s comments are sure to add more fuel to the debate over the future of funding within English football.
