Government will not bail out football

are facing financial ruin after the Government delayed the return of fans because of the pandemic.

Any bailout offer would have to be voted on by Premier League clubs.

Not all of the top clubs have signed up to the conditions of the potential loan, but some influential voices are insisting on the guarantees.

A source at a Championship club said the move was Premier League teams trying to turn the top flight into a “closed shop” by removing the threat of relegation.

That became a huge issue when the Premier League was suspended last season, with clubs railing against the drop, but discussions on what would happen in the event of a curtailment are back on the agenda.

The Championship onship source believes top- flight ght clubs want to impose a wage cap to make it harder to break k into the elite.

It is thought some Premier League clubs are re willing to help but there are a lot of dissenting voices who insist they have their own problems.

Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston, above, warned that there will be no Government bailout and it will be up to the “top tiers” of elite sport – such as the Premier League – to support each other.

Huddleston said: “We recognise the impact of the decisions this week to delay the reopening of stadiums over the winter will have on sport.

“The Government will now work at pace with sports to understand the issues faced by organisations facing the most challenging circumstances and assess what further support may be required.

“Where it can, we will expect the top tiers of professional sport to look at ways it can support itself, with the Government focusing on those most in need.”