Premier League clubs were last night on guard against a thinly-veiled attempt to create a “closed shop” at the very top of the English game.

Both the league itself and the government responded in strong terms to plans which would threaten the top-tier future and standing of ambitious smaller clubs such as Albion.

Proposals by Liverpool and Manchester United would cut the Prem to 18 members and put power in the hands of the six biggest clubs.

Albion currently have an equal voice and vote and, in some respects, led the way during lockdown.

New plans include support for financially stricken EFL clubs, which is something Albion agree with.

But that cash pledge appears to be an opportunistic sweetener to help ease a take-over plan through.

A Premier League response read: “A number of the individual proposals in the plan published 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.

“The Premier League has been working in good faith with its clubs and the EFL to seek a resolution to the requirement for Covid-19 rescue funding. This work will continue.”

The government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said the plan was a “backroom deal”.

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A DCMS statement read: “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.

“Sustainability, integrity and fair competition are absolutely paramount and anything that may undermine them is deeply troubling. Fans must be front of all our minds, and this shows why our fan-led review of football governance will be so critical.”