EFL chief Rick Parry backs overhaul plans for English top-flight

Project Big Picture plans to revamp the Premier League have come in for heavy criticism (Phil Noble/PA)

EFL chairman Rick Parry has defended radical plans to overhaul the English top flight after they were criticised by the Government and the Premier League.

Project Big Picture, the brainchild of Liverpool and Manchester United, includes plans to reduce the Premier League to 18 teams, giving greater power to the ‘big six’ and abolishing the League Cup and Community Shield.