"Change is never easy. Change is never popular, but sometimes change is necessary," observed English Football League (EFL) chairman Ricky Parry, who has long called for "a complete rethink" over the make-up of the country's football. 

For Parry, the current situation is dire to say the least. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic upended the sports industry, the EFL was full of poorly-managed clubs with a huge financial hole. 

"The need for a complete rethinking regarding the funding of English professional football predates the COVID-19 crisis," said Parry, who oversees 72 clubs in the three divisions below the Premier League. 

"The gap between the Premier League and the EFL has become a chasm which has become unbridgeable for clubs transitioning between the EFL and Premier League," he added. 

This stance is echoed by Nigel Travis, chairman of League Two side Leyton Orient. "Before the pandemic, 75 percent of clubs were losing money - that can't continue. The pandemic has, if you like, exacerbated the problem and we need to get it fixed," he told BBC in a recent interview. 

"One thing I need to quash is, this isn't about the pandemic, this is about a crisis in football that goes back many years. If clubs don't get something soon you will see clubs disappear, I would predict, within five-six weeks," Travis predicted. 

Under such circumstances, a radical reform plan, which has been dubbed 'Project Big Picture' was duly unveiled by EFL over the weekend. According to multiple British media outlets, the plan was mainly devised by Liverpool owner, John W Henry, and the Manchester United chairman, Joel Glazer, while Parry, a lifelong Liverpool fan and former Chief Executive of the club, was the driving force behind it. 

"It's a day to applaud Liverpool and Manchester United," beamed Parry. "Not to be suspicious, not to be critical, but actually just to look at the nuts and bolts of the plan, which really do stand out. Very clear, very simple. It is about a reset. It is about redistribution."

Under the proposals, the Premier League will cut from 20 to 18 clubs, with both the League Cup and Community Shield being abolished. Meanwhile, a 250 million pounds ($325 million) rescue fund will be made immediately available to the EFL, who could sell its broadcast rights alongside those of the top flight and would take 25 percent of the future revenue. 

Most significantly of all, however, the traditional 'big six' of Liverpool, United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City, and Tottenham Hotspur will be given 'special voting rights' on certain issues, which means only six votes will be required to implement significant changes in the future. 

It inevitably led to accusations of a power grab and triggered a fierce criticism from the UK government. 

"It's clear that this proposal does not command support throughout the Premier League - it is exactly this type of backroom dealing that undermines trust in football governance," British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) also condemned what it called a "backroom deal."

"We are surprised and disappointed that at a time of crisis when we have urged the top tiers of professional football to come together and finalise a deal to help lower league clubs, there appear to be backroom deals being cooked up that would create a closed shop at the very top of the game," a DCMS spokesperson said. 

The Premier League later weighed in by releasing a statement saying: "In the Premier League's view, a number of the individual proposals in the plan could have a damaging impact on the whole game and we are disappointed to see that Rick Parry, chair of the EFL, has given his on-the-record support." 

"Football has many stakeholders, therefore this work should be carried out through the proper channels enabling all clubs and stakeholders the opportunity to contribute," it added.

While Parry remained unequivocal in his support of the plan, the seeds of division have already been sowed.  

"Some Premier League club are very much against the proposal," a West Ham source was quoted as saying by the BBC. "The big six are using COVID for a power grab. If this goes through, over time they will just use more and more for themselves." 

But another Premier League club source told the Guardian that he was confident about the prospect of the plan, adding: "Beggars can't be choosers. It is about saving the game from oblivion."