INSIDE SPORT: Premier League fears develop over summer time competitors snub

No Premier League club has yet committed to the second Summer Series in the promised land of the United States. 

Insiders say a number of ‘good discussions’ are ongoing over the pre-season tournament and add that they are confident of a positive outcome, as the clock continues to tick towards next July. 

However, the lack of any confirmation will do little to ease fears that the top flight’s big guns will shun the competition.

A number of issues are at play. Champions Manchester City and Chelsea – who enjoy huge support in the US – are unavailable thanks to their participation in the Club World Cup (ironically being held across the US). 

Then there is the problem of money, and how the top-flight can make this an attractive option for the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal, who will not be short of offers.

An intriguing subplot – given the current civil war gripping the league – is the impact any additional revenues would have on a club’s position within the profit and sustainability rules (PSR) and whether it is fair that some should benefit in that regard from a tournament organised by the league itself.

It has also been reported that the Premier League is considering a sliding scale, which would see United and Liverpool form part of a four or six-team tournament with £6.3m each up for grabs. 

Smaller clubs could expect less based on their share of the US market. Again, this is unlikely to go down well. United and Liverpool may well believe they could drive more revenue should they arrange their own matches while smaller clubs may well have their noses put out of joint.

To make matters worse, FIFA have now revealed Inter Miami will take part in their CWC, despite the fact that the MLS play-offs are yet to start. They have seemingly acted now to ensure Lionel Messi features, whether Miami – who finished top of the Eastern Conference – go on to be crowned champions or not. The competition for eyeballs in the US ahead of the World Cup is intense.

None of this is lost on MLS commissioner Don Garber, who chose his words carefully when Inside Sport asked him recently for his thoughts on the prospect of a Premier League match heading to the US. ‘I hear that the Premier League is interested and that the fans aren’t in support of it,’ he said. 

‘It’s up to them. I for one know the value of a regular season game, I know what it means to fans, I know what sovereignty means – that football is based around borders. I believe in the importance of those borders.’

Ten Hag makes annual awards appearance

On Friday he was accusing the media of making up ‘fairytales and lies’ over his future – and on Sunday Erik ten Hag was breaking bread with them.

The under-pressure Manchester United manager attended the Football Writers’ Association’s Northern Awards dinner for the second year in succession – and brought the FA Cup with him. Ten Hag has a decent relationship with the press and his presence at the annual shindig was a welcome sight.

Pique’s competition pride

Gerard Pique was the headline speaker at the recent Leaders in Sport backslapfest at Twickenham. The former Barcelona man waxed lyrical about the King’s League he created, which sees fans set the rules and streamers own each club. 

Pique was effusive in his praise of the disruptor competition’s sponsors, which include adidas. That love, however, did not stop him from wearing a pair of Nike sneakers.

EFL meeting brought forward as Championship clubs consider ticket cap

Inside Sport has learned that the EFL’s annual summer meeting has been brought forward to February – in an attempt to tackle the various financial issues facing the game. Championship clubs will discuss new spending regulations while those in Leagues One and Two will examine amendments to existing arrangements. 

While the summer meeting will still take place, it is hoped that the summit will be used as a rubber-stamping exercise. The lack of a redistribution deal with the Premier League and the forthcoming football regulator will also be high on the agenda.

It can also be disclosed that Championship clubs are considering mirroring the Premier League and introducing a £30 cap on tickets for away supporters. A decision is expected early in the new year, but only a small number are thought to be against the move.

Welsh clubs consider new cup territory 

There is a growing feeling that clubs across the Severn who compete in the English league are attempting to ‘have their Welsh cake and eat it’, as one exec put it.

Swansea, Cardiff, Wrexham and Newport, who all ply their trade in England, are considering entering the Welsh League Cup – with the winners competing in Europe’s Conference League. 

Aside from the fact such qualification could wreak havoc with the Championship fixture calendar, there is also the argument that the revenues European qualification would bring would put give the side in question an unfair advantage over their English counterparts. 

Sharing of such revenues was quickly dismissed on a recent call. ‘They’re more than welcome to play in the Welsh Cup – as long as they then go and play in the Welsh League,’ said another official.