EFL rejects Premier League's 拢50m rescue package for League One and League Two sides
The top flight had offered grants as part of the proposal on Wednesday - but no funds were made available for Championship clubs.
Thursday 15 October 2020 21:50, UK
The English Football League (EFL) has rejected the Premier League's proposed 拢50m rescue package for League One and League Two clubs.
The Premier League offered grants and interest-free loans as part of the proposal on Wednesday - but no funds were made available for clubs in the Championship.
The EFL said it wanted a deal which covered all of its teams after a meeting of its member clubs on Thursday.
The chief executive of one Championship club told Sky Sports News the bailout offer was "simply an attempt to create a divide between Championship clubs and those in Leagues One and Two".
It is thought that in Thursday's Championship meeting, clubs stopped short of dismissing the Premier League offer completely, but made it clear that all EFL clubs would need to be its beneficiaries.
The EFL said in a statement: "The need for continued unity across the membership base was fundamental to discussions across all three divisions, and therefore there was a strong consensus that any rescue package must meet the requirements of all 72 Clubs before it can be considered in full.
"The League has been very clear in its discussions of the financial requirements needed to address lost gate receipts in 2019-20 and 2020-21, and while EFL clubs are appreciative that a formal proposal has now been put forward, the conditional offer of £50m falls some way short of this."
The offer from the Premier League was aimed at helping clubs as they struggle with a lack of matchday revenue caused by restrictions due to COVID-19.
The EFL said it wanted to continue discussions with the Premier League in search of an "agreeable solution" and more long-term solutions.
EFL chairman Rick Parry had been the public face of "Project Big Picture", backed by Liverpool and Manchester United, which was rejected by Premier League clubs on Wednesday.
Mr Parry's plan proposed a £250m "rescue package" for the EFL but was tied to a series of reforms which would have increased the power and revenue share of the top clubs in the Premier League.
That proposal was opposed by the Football Association and the UK government, as well as supporters groups and then the Premier League clubs themselves.