Football's big four urged to share

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Culture Secretary Andy Burnham wants Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool to divvy up their Champions League winnings with the rest of the Premier League clubs, according to The Times.

The controversial request is part of a bid to create a level playing field for teams lower down the league table by redistributing the wealth of the big four.

Other proposals include sharing the league's £1 billion revenue from television and sponsorship rights equally between all 20 teams. Currently, 50% is distributed among all the clubs, 25% is paid out on finishing places, and 25% for the number of television appearances.

Mr Burnham also hopes to break the dominance of the big four with compulsory quotas of English players in team line-ups and limiting the size of squads.

The Government insists it is acting in the interest of the sport and its fans, but some of the demands are likely to meet strong opposition.

The proposals follow talks held in October with the Premier League, Football League and Football Association on areas including governance, financial regulation and debt.

A Department for Culture, Media and Sport spokesman said: "We are continuing to have good and productive discussions with the Premier League on their response to the questions posed to the football authorities last autumn.

"We are pleased that the Premier League have stepped up to the plate and are discussing changes that would improve the development of the game at the highest level in this country.

"We have made it clear that it is not Government's job to run football but to challenge the game on issues that are in the public interest and we will continue to do that as part of our ongoing dialogue."