A SERIES of meetings held yesterday with English Football League (EFL) clubs revealed support for the ‘Project Big Picture’ proposals.

EFL Chair Rick Parry led the discussions, which were split into each division to give clubs an overview of the talks so far.

It would involve a £250million bailout from Premier League clubs as well as an increased share of future broadcast deals in a wider restructure of the English game.

The mooted measures have divided opinion. While many see merit in the rescue package, it has prompted accusations of a ‘big six’ power grab relating to associated changes in the voting rights of the top flight.

A conference call involving five EFL representatives suggested support among the 72 was close to consensus, though, with support from the meetings involving Leagues One and Two said to be “complete” and “overwhelming” respectively.

A statement from the EFL reported the proposals: “Received strong support, with an overwhelming majority of clubs indicating a willingness to discuss the proposals further on the basis that the primary benefits for the future of the English pyramid are clear.”

Oxford United boss Karl Robinson spoke in favour of the idea on Monday, which will now be discussed in detail by EFL clubs shortly.

Premier League clubs will hold a shareholders’ meeting today, amid claims from Football Association chairman Greg Clarke that a breakaway from the top flight was wielded “as a threat” during talks over the project.

In a letter to the FA Council, which convenes on Thursday, he said he had taken part in initial discussions before walking away when he felt the aim had become “the concentration of power and wealth in the hands of a few clubs, with a breakaway league mooted as a threat”.

He added: “I, of course, discontinued my involvement and counselled a more consensus-based approach involving all Premier League clubs and its chair and CEO. Our game needs to continually seek to improve but benefits need to be shared.”

Clarke warned that the FA could use its so-called ‘golden share’ as a trump card if it felt the wider interests of the game were being compromised and suggested any breakaway competition would not receive the necessary sanctions from the governing body.

“We, the FA Board and Council, have to ensure that any changes would be to the long-term benefit of the whole of football and we have substantial controls to help ensure that the best interests of the game are served by any new proposals,” he said.

“Change must benefit clubs, fans and players, not just selective balance sheets. In these difficult times unity, transparency and common purpose must override the interests of the few.”