The Premier League and the National League are reportedly in talks to create a new cup competition in the near future.
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Premier League and National League in talksCould come together to create new cup tournament16 PL U-21 and 16 National League clubs would participateGettyWHAT HAPPENED?
The current plans for the new tournament would have the competition take place between the U-21 sides of the Premier League against the National League sides, as per The Athletic. According to the report, the top 16 teams from the top flight and the top 16 clubs in the fifth tier from the last season would take part in the competition. If it goes ahead, there would be four groups of eight teams on a regional basis and the National League sides would not face off against each other in the group stages.
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The matches between the National League sides and the U21 teams would take place at the former's home stadium and all the gate receipts from the game would go to the non-league clubs to improve their financial status over the course of the season. As per the report, half of the prize money would also go to the non-league side, while the other would go to a pot and be distributed between the 56 non-participating clubs in the National League and sixth-tier National League North and National League South.
GettyDID YOU KNOW?
The new competition would be very similar to the EFL Trophy, or the Bristol Street Motors Trophy, in which 48 teams from League One and League Two and 16 U21 sides from Premier League and Championship clubs go head-on in a knockout style competition.
WHAT NEXT?
Talks are still ongoing regarding the competition between the Premier League, the National League and the FA. As such, the timeline remains shrouded in mystery. The reports have also suggested that the final of this tournament could take place at Wembley Stadium.
